Hello Mary,

It sounds like you have a good plan for your new yard! Hopefully I can help you select a fruit tree that will work well for you.

Several characteristics will make a tree more beginner friendly and easy to manage overall.

Disease and pest tolerance and/or resistance, size, and pollination needs are the most important aspects to consider for both apples and peaches. A particular concern for peaches is that they bloom early in spring when it’s too cold and wet for good pollination.

Apple

Disease/pests:

Apple scab and codling moths are the two big concerns for apple trees in Oregon. A few varieties that are resistant to apple scab are: Chehalis, Prima, Liberty, and Akane. Codling moths can be controlled through chemical and nonchemical means.

Size:

The mature size of apple trees can be controlled by selecting an appropriate rootstock. A dwarf rootstock (MM-9, MM-26, Bud 9) will limit the mature size to 6-15 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide. A semi-dwarf rootstock (EM 7, MM 111, MM-106, M-7) will limit the mature size to 15-25 feet tall and 15-25 feet wide. Depending on the rootstock selected, the tree may need support.

Pollination:

Two or more varieties need to be planted near each other to cross pollinate. If you have a neighbor with an apple tree, this could be sufficient, depending on the distance.

Peach

Diseases/pests:

The rainy weather in the Willamette Valley makes peaches challenging to grow. Peaches can be challenging to grow in the Willamette Valley due to the rainy weather. The wet weather invites diseases (peach leaf curl, coryneum blight, and brown rot) that can kill the tree. Although some varieties are resistant to peach leaf curl, frequent spraying is needed for the other diseases. The Muir variety is resistant to peach leaf curl and tolerant to coryneum blight. Resistant means that the pathogen is less able to multiply in the host, tolerant means that the plant is able to negate the effects of the pathogen and still produce a normal crop. Peaches are also susceptible to damage from the peach tree borer and peach twig borer.

Size:

Peach trees have a spread of about 12-15 feet and get 8-20 feet tall. Size controlling rootstocks are available for peach trees, but most make the tree unproductive. The good news is that the height can be controlled with pruning. Generally, 50% of the previous season's growth is pruned off, keeping the tree at a reasonable size.

Pollination:

Peach trees are self fertile, so you only need one of them.

Generally, peaches and apples are on the difficult end of fruit trees to grow with peaches being more difficult. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t try though! Choosing a disease resistant variety of a size that works for you and your yard will increase the chances of success and be easier to manage.

For apple, I recommend selecting two disease resistant varieties (like Chehalis, Prima, Liberty, and Akane) that are on dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock. Two varieties are needed for cross pollination. I’m inclined to recommend apple over peach. If you do choose to go for peach, I would recommend a disease resistant variety like Muir that is kept to a manageable size with pruning.

Another option is a fruit tree that is not typically bothered by pests or diseases in Oregon. Fig, persimmon, and pawpaw are some examples.

Resources:

Growing Tree Fruits and Nuts in the Home Orchard | OSU Extension Service

Training and Pruning Your Home Orchard | OSU Extension Catalog

Fruit Tree Care by 10-Minute University™ This is a series of videos put together by Clackamas County Master Gardeners on a variety of topics.

Selecting Peach and Nectarine Varieties for the Willamette Valley | OSU Extension Catalog

Fruit tree site considerations | OSU Extension Service

Fruit tree selection | OSU Extension Service

Apple-Codling moth | Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks See the Management-cultural control section for tips on managing the codling moth without chemicals

Peach (Prunus persica)-Shothole | Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks

Managing Diseases and Insects in Home Orchards | OSU Extension Catalog

Regards,

Leo Sherry

OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Hi Mary,

Thank you for your kind response. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

Regards,

Leo Sherry

OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer