Peach tree named ‘Sugar Time’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ), which has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. The features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on Nemaguard Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Hanford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization: 1. Early maturity of large size, yellow flesh fruit. 2. Fruit having a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor with excellent eating quality. 3. Fruit having firm flesh with good handling and shipping quality. 4. heavy and regular production of fruit. 5. Fruit having a high degree of attractive red skin color. 6. The tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.

We claim:  
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous, upright growth and being a productive and regular bearer of large, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by having firm flesh, good packing and storage quality, having an attractive red skin color, and, in comparison to the mild, sweet, sub-acid Sweet Gem Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,952), the variety is approximately 16 days later in maturity.