Mericrest Nectarine Tree | Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co.

Mericrest Nectarine

A Top Choice for Northern Growers

Produces plenty of attractive, dark red, smooth-skinned fruits with firm yellow fresh and a mild, slightly tangy flavor. This freestone variety is excellent for eating fresh and cans well too. Ripens in mid to late August. One of the hardiest nectarine varieties available, Mericrest can take temperature to -14 degrees F. without loss of crop. Resistant to brown rot and leaf spot. Requires 800 chill hours. Self-pollinating, but produces even larger yields with another peach or nectarine variety. Zones 5-8.

Now available in Reachables size! A Reachables tree produces full-sized fruits, but on a smaller tree. That makes it easier to fit into your garden, orchard—or even a container. Thanks to state-of-the-art rootstock technology, these trees stay manageable allowing one person to prune, spray, net and harvest the tree—all while standing on the ground. No ladders required! Note: Because their full-sized fruits grow on smaller trees, Reachables require a tree support.

Why buy a Deluxe package - Deluxe fruit trees include 2 oz. of Fruit-Boost™ Pelletized Calcium to enhance fruit quality, 12 oz. bag of Fruit Tree Food Starter Formula, easy-to-use tree ties (see video below), a premium tree guard to protect the trunk from gnawing pests, mowers and weed trimmers, and a copy of Backyard Horticulture for Fun and Profit—How to Make $10,000 in Your Spare Time.

NOTE: We are unable to ship our trees to PO Boxes at this time.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Prunus persica 'Mericrest'
Height: Standard: 16 feet. Reachables: 6-8 feet. Reachables tree heights will vary some based on location, soil, light, temperature, and other environmental factors.
Spacing: Standard: 16 feet. Reachables: 8-12 feet.
Depth: Locate the planting depth indicator, the marked line above the tree's root system. The graft should be about 2 inches above the soil surface.
Spread: Standard: 18 feet
Light Required: Full Sun
Pollinator: Self-pollinating, yields better with another peach or nectarine variety.
Yield: Standard: Approximately 3-6 bushels at maturity -- Reachables: 3/4 - 1 bushel
Color: White
Foliage: Dark green, long narrow leaves.
Blooms: April
Fruit: Mild, slightly tangy freestone fruit with dark redskin and golden flesh.
Zone: 5 - 8 (-10° F.)

Form: Deciduous, spreading.
Flower Form: 1-inch, pink blossoms.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained, fertile, organic soil.
Growth Rate: Medium growth rate.
Pruning: Nectarine trees need to be pruned to optimize fruit production and allow light into the tree. Most home gardeners do not prune their trees enough. Pruning encourages new growth and shapes the tree. Prune nectarines hard, removing most of the previous year's growth. Fruit will be produced on the previous year's wood, so leave enough to ensure a good crop, but not overburden the tree. Removing interior branches opens up the tree and allows sunlight to penetrate to lower branches.
Size: 1 inch blossoms.
Comments: The hardiest nectarine. 800 chill hours. Can take temperatures to -14 degrees F. without loss of crop.-20 degrees F. Smooth dark red skin. Firm yellow freestone flesh. Excellent quality. Resistant to brown rot and leaf spot.