Peach Trees are trees in section Persica of subgenus Prunus of genus Prunus of the Amygdaleae tribe of the Amygdaloideae subfamily of the rose family. Peach Trees are extremely closely closely related to almond trees. There are about eight species of peach trees, including the Southern California Desert Peach. The genus Prunus also contains plum trees, apricot trees, and cherry trees.
More distantly related, but also in the Amygdaloideae subfamily of the rose family, is the Maleae tribe, which includes apple trees, pear trees, hawthorn trees, cotoneaster, photinia, and toyon.
Peach (Prunus persica) is a deciduous tree from China that was first domesticated there about 8,000 years ago. It is the source of the peaches commonly sold in grocery stores. Nectarines are a variant of the same species (Prunus persica var. nucipersica). Peach trees can grow to over 20 feet tall but should be pruned to 10 to 12 feet tall for best harvest. Their productive lifespan is about 10 to 20 years, depending on environmental conditions and quality of care. They have "perfect" flowers (containing both male and female parts). Fruit-bearing peach trees are ranked 3 to 4 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, depending on cultivar; fruiting varieties produce less pollen than the ornamental varieties. A peach tree is planted as a street tree on 5th Street.
