Redhaven Peach Tree

Redhaven/Red Haven Peach Tree

Redhaven Peach Tree, also written as Red Haven, is a self-fertile, reliable, very good-cropping peach with pink spring blossom, medium-sized^[5] yellow-fleshed fruit and a freestone (stone comes away readily from the flesh) when ripe. It is a strong choice if you want one peach tree that can crop on its own, rather than needing a separate pollination partner nearby. ^{[1] [2]}

The fruit has rosy pink to reddish skin and good flavour when eaten straight from the tree^[2].The peaches do not have a long storage time.

Redhaven is capable of heavy crops in the right site, but the best results still come from the usual peach basics: warmth, shelter, good watering, blossom protection and sensible fruit thinning, which it would usually always require. ^{[2] [5]}

Redhaven usually crops from late July into August, depending on the site, season and whether it is grown outdoors or with extra warmth. Outdoor peaches are expected to ripen a few weeks later than those under glass. ^[2]

Our Redhaven peach trees are supplied potted on St Julien rootstock. This is not a naturally dwarf patio peach like Bonanza Peach, so treat it as a proper medium peach tree for open ground, fan training, or a very large container with regular watering, feeding and pruning. It is expected to grow to around 3.5 to 5m tall. It should start cropping around 1-2 years after planting.

Redhaven/Red Haven Peach Leaf Curl

It is also a useful variety because it shows some resistance to peach leaf curl, which is a threat to harvest size. To further reduce the risk of peach leaf curl, keep the buds and emerging shoots/leaves dry with rain shelters from November to May. These keep the rain off but have open ends for insects to still pollinate. ^{[1] [2] [4]}

Planting a Redhaven/Red Haven Peach Tree

Plant Redhaven in full sun, in fertile, well-drained soil. A south-facing or west-facing sheltered wall is ideal, especially if you plan to fan train the tree. Avoid cold frost pockets, exposed windy sites and poorly drained soil. ^{[1] [2] [3] [6]}

Because this Redhaven is supplied potted, it can potentially be planted for much of the year when conditions are suitable. For best establishment, plant from late autumn to spring where possible, and avoid planting during hot, dry weather, frozen ground or waterlogged conditions. Water the pot well before planting. ^[3]

If planting against a wall or fence, leave the tree around 20–30cm from the wall and angle it slightly towards the support. Fan-trained peaches can spread widely, so allow enough room either side before planting. ^[3]

If growing Redhaven in a container, use a very large pot. Many suggest starting at 50L but these are usually for dwarf varieties so we advise a minimum of 100 L for Redhaven. The larger the pot the smaller your problems from it will be. Provide good drainage and a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3. Do not let the compost sit cold and waterlogged in winter. ^[3]

Although Redhaven is self-fertile, peaches flower early, when insects may not be very active. Hand pollination with a soft brush over several dry, sunny days can help fruit set, especially if the tree is under cover or flowering in cold spring weather. ^{[1] [3]}

Protect the blossom from frost where possible. A potted tree can be moved into a greenhouse, porch or other sheltered place on cold nights, while wall-trained trees can be covered with fleece or hessian when frost is forecast. Remove covers during the day so light and pollinating insects can reach the flowers. ^{[3] [6]}

Redhaven/Red Haven Fruit Thinning

If Redhaven sets a heavy crop, thin the young fruitlets once they are around hazelnut to walnut size: first to about 10cm apart when they are hazelnut-sized, then to around 20–25cm apart when they reach walnut size. This helps the remaining peaches size up properly and reduces strain on the tree. ^{[3] [5][7]}

Harvesting Redhaven/Red Haven

Judge ripeness by the fruit, not just the calendar: pick when the skin has coloured well, the peach is still firm but starting to soften, and it comes away from the tree with a gentle lift and twist. Redhaven fruit does not all ripen at once, so expect to pick over two or three passes rather than clearing the tree in one go.

Pruning Redhaven/Red Haven Peach

Prune peaches in spring and summer, not in winter. Established fan-trained peaches are pruned in spring and after fruiting in summer; free-standing peach trees are usually pruned in summer after fruiting. Annual pruning helps keep the tree productive because peaches fruit mainly on shoots made the previous year.^[3]

Other Interesting Information About Redhaven/Red Haven Peach

It was bred at South Haven, Michigan, by Stanley Johnston at the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. The cross was Halehaven × Kalhaven, made in 1930, and the variety was introduced in 1940. ^[5]

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