How Large Do Peach Trees Grow?

Growers often keep peach trees from reaching their maximum heights.

Peach trees originated in China and were cultivated for their attractive blossoms. Peaches and nectarines are actually the same species, but nectarines, a variety of the peach tree, do not produce a fruit covered in fuzz.

Size

Peach trees typically will reach about 8 to 20 feet tall, depending on the variety. This assumes that the trees are not pruned to inhibit growth.

Considerations

Growers often keep peach trees from reaching their natural maximum heights, as taller trees produce inferior fruit because their canopies block crucial sunlight.

Expert Insight

Growers should prune peach trees to heights of 9 to 10 feet, according to the Michigan State University extension. The height of peach trees also can be controlled by grafting a peach tree shoot onto the rootstock of a larger tree to produce a smaller variety.

Warning

Peach trees live in the range of 12 years. Plant a new tree two or three years before the old one dies, as it will take the replacement tree a few growing seasons to bear fruit.

References

• Encyclopedia: Peach
• Michigan Peach Sponsors: Growing Peaches in the Home Garden
• Botany.com: Prunus