Peach Cresthaven Dwarf

Cresthaven Dwarf Peach

‘Cresthaven’ is a hardy, heavy-bearing deciduous fruit tree known for firm, yellow-fleshed freestone peaches with red-blushed golden skin. The fruit is juicy and flavorful, with a firm texture that makes it useful for fresh eating, canning, freezing, and cooking. Spring brings showy pink flowers before the green foliage develops, followed by a late-season peach crop. The cultivar originated in South Haven, Michigan and was introduced in 1963.

Type: Deciduous fruit tree / dwarf peach
Mature Size: 8–10 ft. wide × 8–10 ft. tall on dwarfing rootstock; some dwarf or semi-dwarf listings may reach 10–15 ft. depending on rootstock and pruning.
USDA Zones: 5a–8b; some sources list 5a–9b depending on site and nursery stock.
Form: Compact, rounded to oval dwarf fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Fertile, well-drained soil; average water during establishment and fruit development; avoid wet, poorly drained sites
Bloom Time / Length: Early to mid spring; pink flowers are showy but may be damaged by late frost
Fruit Time: Late season, commonly August into late August depending on region; UC Davis lists ripening about one week before ‘Elberta.’
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects; ripe fruit may attract birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for small orchards, edible landscapes, backyard fruit gardens, sunny borders, and compact fruit plantings. ‘Cresthaven’ is especially useful where a hardy, productive yellow freestone peach is desired. It is considered self-compatible/self-pollinating, so a single tree can fruit, though nearby peach varieties and good pollinator activity can improve fruit set.

Care:
Plant in full sun with good air circulation. Prune annually during dormancy to maintain an open-center shape, control size, and encourage productive young wood. Thin young fruit after set to improve fruit size and reduce limb breakage; NC State notes that ‘Cresthaven’ can set heavily and needs thinning. Watch for common peach issues such as peach leaf curl, brown rot, borers, bacterial spot, and leaf spot.

Pollination:
Self-pollinating / self-compatible; one tree can produce fruit. 

Plant type

Fruit Tree

Height

8-10'

Width

8-10'

Hardiness zones

5–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Spring, Mid Spring

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Red

Attracts

Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Fruit, Home Orchard

Shape

Compact, Rounded

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No