Local peach tree defying odds

By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason, FCT Writer
Peach trees generally bloom each spring and bear fruit in the summer months. The fruit and blooms are usually gone by the first winter freeze, but one local resident currently has a peach tree in full bloom.
Leon Lander of Russellville said that this particular tree blooms every January, even though peaches are considered a summer crop.
"This tree is supposed to be a June peach tree, but it has bloomed every winter since I have lived here," Lander said. "I don't think it's a June peach tree."
Although the tree itself is small, each tip produces a tiny, pink peach blossom every year. However, Lander has never been able to eat peaches from the tree.
"I think the tree has only produced about two edible peaches," Lander said.
He said the peaches are usually not any good or they have tiny worms in them; either way they could not be eaten.
"I guess I got a dud peach tree," Lander laughed.
The majority of the state's peach trees are concentrated in Chilton County – the state's largest peach producing county.
Their trees currently show no blooms and are still in the process of logging chill hours – a dormant period required for trees to produce fruit.