Peach Trees for the Pacific Northwest
- Common varieties of peaches are grown in the states of the Pacific Northwest.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
Peaches can be grown in most areas of the country, including the states of the Pacific Northwest. They prefer areas with warm pockets, such as Oregon's Willamette Valley. Peaches also do best in areas with well-drained soil and at least an average amount of rainfall. Another plus is that peach trees don't require a lot of space, making it possible for a homeowner to grow one in a small yard. - The suncrest peach is one of the two most commonly grown peaches in Oregon. It's a large peach with a sweet taste and firm yellow flesh. Its skin is approximately 80 percent red with a yellow background. The suncrest peach, which originated in California, ripens in the middle of the summer. Its tree reaches a height of 10 to 14 feet and spreads about 8 to 12 feet. Considered hardy and a fast grower, the suncrest is juicy, winter-hardy and prefers plenty of sun. It ships well and requires 700 hours of chilling.
- The red haven peach is the other most commonly grown peach in Oregon. Its tree is adaptable, and begins yielding fruit in 3 or 4 years before peaking in 8 to 12 years. The red haven prefers warm weather and doesn't tolerate extreme winters or areas that receive frosts well into the spring. It also needs soil that drains well, and regular fertilization. Pruning is necessary to promote growth and keep a good shape to the tree. It grows to a height and width of 15 to 30 feet. Its green foliage is deciduous and its pink flowers have a pleasant fragrance. It blooms in the middle of the spring, and its water needs are normal.
- The Elberta peach is large and is known for its sweetness. Often used for canning, it has a skin with a red tinge over deep-yellow flesh, a pit that's small compared to the size of the fruit, and produces red, fragrant blossoms in the spring. The tree has a wide growing area, including the states of the Pacific Northwest. Elberta peach trees pollinate themselves, and grow quickly to a height of 15 to 25 feet. It's the most popular of all the peaches, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, and requires water and 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. They're not resistant to drought, but droughts are uncommon in the humid Pacific Northwest. They produce fruit in 3 to 5 years.
