Identifying Apricot vs. Peach Seedlings: Key Differences

You have 18-inch seedlings from pits planted last year, but you're unsure whether they're apricots, peaches, or weeds. Here's how to tell them apart at this stage.

Stem and Bark Clues

Both species develop a woody, tree-like stem (a "whip") with smooth, reddish-brown bark. Weeds (e.g., mulberry, elm volunteers) often have different bark texture or branching habits. If the stem looks like a miniature fruit tree trunk, you likely have a Prunus seedling.

Leaf Shape: The Best Identifier

• Peach (Prunus persica): Leaves are lanceolate—long, narrow, pointed at both ends, with finely serrated margins. Think "willow-like."
• Apricot (Prunus armeniaca): Leaves are broadly ovate to heart-shaped (cordate) at the base, with a shorter, blunter tip and coarser serrations. The overall shape is rounder.

Next Steps

1. Compare your seedlings to photos of peach and apricot foliage.
2. If still unsure, wait for next spring's bloom: peach flowers are pink, solitary; apricot flowers are white to pale pink, often in pairs.
3. Transplant to a permanent, well-drained site in early spring while dormant. Both need full sun and good air circulation.

Note: Seedling trees take 3–5 years to fruit, and quality is variable (like grapes). For reliable crops, graft known cultivars onto these seedlings later, or buy grafted trees.