Spectacular Backyard Orchard Culture project! Whether you are just learning about BYOC or are a few years into a similar project like myself, this new Dave Wilson planting will be very helpful to all of us. This video and the follow up videos will give us newbies a good grasp of BYOC from young trees. This will be a very interesting project for all us home fruit gardeners to monitor the maintenance and development of the group planting of trees throughout the upcoming months and years.
This youtube channel deserves way more exposure. So many people could be planting high density/backyard orchard culture but just don't know it's possible. I personally have been studying all your videos which have been an amazing help. Thank you for providing this teaching material.
Brilliant! Oh, how I wish I had known about this approach before I wasted so much space and let my trees become standard size. Too soon oldt, too late schmart, as my Pennsylvania Deutsch neighbor used to say!
Hi Tom, I've been watching your video's for a while now and just watched the back yard orchard program where planting behind your offices and it was great. I also noticed that you were planting the fruit trees very deep. looed to me that it was deeper than what the root ball was on the tree!
@memberson M106 is a good adaptable rootstock. It is comparable to M111, maybe slightly smaller, but not as dwarfing as M7. So you're probably looking at a tree that will get to 13-15 feet if left unpruned. With a little summer pruning you can still easily keep it in a small space.
@michaelgirvine The dominate variety will be the largest branch on your multi-bud. So plant the tree with the smallest, weakest looking branch to the Southwest, and prune all the branches to the height of the smallest branch. Then continue to prune the tree so the varieties stay even.
Here in the NW, Western Cascades the strongest winds come from the SSW so its recommended to plant with strongest root (bareroot) and strongest leader durected and toward the wind.
Tom would you able to do planting guide on persimmon fruit trees? I have found they are very tricky to grow for many people but for some they super easy . Please cover the most important points of what soil , climate type and water requirements. Etc. Thanks
Dave, Hello! I love you videos! Just this year I really started to get planting things in my back yard but I did not realize that where I planted my blueberries that part of them was in a low area so when it rains for a little while their sitting in water.(especially in the spring)!! So if I did them up and raise up that whole area do you think it might kill them? Lisa P. 🌺 And what kind of dirt would I use
Blueberries require fast draining, acidic PH soil. Always a risk of loosing plants when transplanting them but sounds like your only opportunity to rescue them. They will almost certainly die out under the conditions you describe.
How close can you plant multibudded trees next to each other? I purchased both of your 4-1 pluot trees and am a bit limited in space. See the spacing mentioned in the video for most plantings except for the multi budded, so just wanted to check. Thanks!
great project... I just started my BYOC this year and Im excited. How are you guys going to do the grapes? Thats where im having difficulty. BTW dave wilson grows the best quality trees.
hi, and thank you for great demo, I planted 2 weeks ago white cherry, plum tree about 16 feet away, and fig tree. DO I need another white cherry tree for pollinating? Thank you
I live in a typical small suburban lot, how far away from the 6 ft tall fence line should I plant (peach on standard lov.) to avoid intrusion into my neighbor's property line?
Hello DWN! I was wondering what happened with the pomegranate project? You talk about them in this video and then never again (That I've seen. Maybe I missed it?) I'd love to see how you prune them and if the espaliers did well. Thanks!
How well will these ideas adapt to the hot summer here in the North Texas/DFW area? I'd really like to try this in my own backyard. And one other thing, I'd like to plant part of the fruit trees as an edible privacy hedgerow. From my back step, I can count 12 roof tops in the winter when the leaves are off, and 5 of those houses, some two-story can see directly into my back yard and pool.
They would do fine, it's quite hot here as well. You would want to pant your trunk to prevent sunburn, and be sure to use a think layer of mulch over the root zone.
I called my local county extension agent, told them about the close planting concept and she thought I was crazy. I sent her a link to your UA-cam channel. How about my edible hedgerow idea? Other than the videos, do you have any other resources for these BYO ideas; some kind of table or handout you've given at talks or something. The videos are fantastic but I'd like the ideas boiled down into something I can more readily use.
What is the spacing between the rows. I want to do an espalier orchard with trees about 6 feet tall. I will be aligning my trees so that the branches grow north/south as in this video. How much space should I leave between rows east/west to avoid them shading each other? My yard is only 70 feet wide, and I'd like to work in as many rows as possible.
So here it is the month of June down on the Gulf Coast of Texas in zone 9b and I just bought 2 pear and 2 nectarine trees at the local Lowes. I was told not to plant them until after the first frost but sitting in 1 gallon pots when the temperature will be hitting 100+ degrees I think would be worse. Should I really wait or plant now? I have made 3ft x 3ft x 3ft deep planter boxes as all we have here is clay. I do not have good compost but I do have some that is fair. Any suggestion would be appreciated. Thank you and thank you for all your videos.
I purchased a bare root Minnie Royal cherry tree three months ago. I potted it, as per instructions, and it was doing well, sprouted a few leaves. I had to go away on business for a few weeks and I think it was over watered by the person keeping an eye on my garden. The leaves that grew have died. Is there any hope? Please help!
Hi Dave What is your analysis about the best spacing for the hedge in pomegranates in feets Please mention the spacing between plant to pant and row row if in orchard
@@DaveWilsonTrees i would be very thankful to you if you mention the main principles of cutting of pomegranate in high density orchard in hedge row system? Thanks
@@DaveWilsonTrees @Dave Wilson Nursery i would be very thankful to you if you mention the main principles of cutting of pomegranate in high density orchard in hedge row system? Thanks
When creating the multibudded trees , was that done via chip budding? I am dabbling with grafting root stocks this season, mostly whips but would like to try a multi budded asian pear. I am having difficulty locating information on the process, thank you for any advice you can provide on this.
+Dave Wilson Nursery Thank you for the quick response. Is it best practice to limit the amount of buds you place in one season? Can I do 3 on a x97 1/2 caliper rootstock? Do you have any grafting videos other than the cleft grafting?
We put down a few citrus trees, mandarins, orange, fruit salad tree a couple years ago and they were planted in our clay/rock type of ground and left for 2 years without anything. They grass has grown around them and they have sunk in the ground abit and haven't grown much and are now stunted at only around 30 cm or less with little growth/foliage what would be the best way to nurse them to health? Dig them out and pot them or transplant them in ground somewhere else with better care? Thankyou
Here are a few tips that will start you off in the right direction when growing citrus 1. Full sun exposure 2. Soil should be fast draining. If not plant on a rise 8" to 12" above grade. 3. When you dig planting hole it should be twice as wide as the root ball. New roots will spread out not so much down. Make sure to pre compact soil under neath the root ball to eliminate settling. 4. Fertilize three to four times through the growing season. February through July. No feeding August through January. 5. Irrigate throughly and allow soil to go slightly dry in between irritations. Keep a chapel on soil moisture with a moisture meter. 6. Mulch around the tree with a 2" to 4" layer of bio diverse mulch. Do not allow grass or weeds to grow under or around the tree. Keep a 12" circumference area clear of mulch directly around the trunk and mulch out to 3' beyond the drip line. 7. Whitewash the main trunk and any exposed bark. Especially any facing south to south/west. On transplanting, best time to do so would be in the fall to early winter. If you have to do it at this time. Move the containers into a shaded area for three to four weeks. Re introduce to full sun exposure slowly.
When you say multiple budded, do you mean that one tree is are grafted with multiple brands of the fruit? Otherwise what did you mean? Also what kind of pear trees did you plant? Very educational. Thanks.
Yes, multi-buds have up to 5 different varieties on them. Our favorite pears include Harrow Delight and Blakes Pride. Bartlett and Bosc are popular also.
The apple is fine, but sometimes larger caliper peach/nectarine don't push after topping low. You don't want to top either of them now, unless you can do so without removing all the foliage. This winter you can prune them lower.
@@DaveWilsonTrees will they die if I remove all the foliage or will the foliage grow back? I'm in South Texas so I still have a couple months until the first freeze
This looks scary. Why did you plant these varieties so close together? Do you plan to transplant them later? Are these dwarf trees? I was under the impression that the space allotted to a tree was determined by its "drip diameter"- the normal span around the tree's branches when it matures.
It's a high-density orchard. More trees in less space. Tree size is controlled by summer pruning. It's a technique for small yards, or people who want to keep their trees small. In the space of one full size tree, you could plant 4 successively ripening varieties. So instead of one crop all at once, you get 4 crops spaced out over a couple months.
Thanks for your prompt response. I was also curious about yields, and the economic feasibility of having these trees in your back yard. Is it really economical to grow these trees vs. going to the supermarket? Thanks again.
You will get more than enough fruit from a tree pruned to stay at 6 or 7 feet tall. The plain truth is you just can't get good fruit from the grocery store. It will always be under ripe. Once you get used to tree-ripe fruit, you will never buy grocery fruit again.
I have a question guys . Its almost June now and I was wondering if my tree's have to be dormant to cut them off at the 18" trunk ? I have been given a 3 apple and a peach tree they are what I assume 1 yr trees and was wanting to use the backyard orchard technique you all use. I just don't want to cut the top off the tree now if it is going to kill the tree and not be a pruning .
Thank you ! They will be relatively short once I get them in the ground and once pruned back I am trying to keep them between 5 and 6 feet tall . Thanks for the videos I am sure you will be hearing from me again !
All of our trees come with a descriptive rootstock ID label. We have lots of info on our website about selecting rootstocks.. www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/growing-fruits-and-nuts/selecting-varieties-and-rootstocks
We recommend using a good sandy loam topsoil. Which you can find at a landscape supply. Fill the bottom few inches of your raised bed with a mix of the topsoil and a potting mix, then fill the rest with just topsoil. Add compost and mulches to the top.
Dear Dave Wilson Nursery I planted doubble grafted apple tree bare root last winters 2013. I am raising it as an espelier along the north facing fence. I did not pruned it ( my bad) at the time of planting due to that there are no side branches at the bottom or in middle of the main trunk. And only growth at the top of the tree and I dont have 1st and 2nd 3rd but have 4th and 5th tier side arms to tie on the wire along the fence. Same is the case with my Doubble Grafted Plums. :( Please suggest what shall I do .? Is it ok if I cut them back just below first wire in winter when it will dormant and restart from there or it is too late now ? sandy
Shea M Low nitrogen fertilizer could be used about a month after planting. Higher nitrogen fertilizer can be applied after you see 4" to 6" of new growth.
If anyone is growing plums or Pluots near you, you might be able to grow cherries. They would probably have fungal issues requiring sprays. Minnie Royal, Royal Lee and Crimson Royal are all low chill, the latter is self-fruitful as well.
DAMN !! It's about time I found this WHATEVER you call it. Maybe I can ask a simple ????? I'm ASKing for my neighbor who couldn't figure out how to ask a ????? on this damn site. His QUESTION was why are my Peaches HARD as a ROCK ??? No answer ??? Great !!!! I'm just helping a freind. I'm sure he trust DW nurseries more thanI do.
The only thing I can think of is that it's not the variety, but the rootstock that has taken over and is setting fruit. Nemaguard or Lovell rootstocks, both set small inedible fruits, with a thick skin.
Spectacular Backyard Orchard Culture project! Whether you are just learning about BYOC or are a few years into a similar project like myself, this new Dave Wilson planting will be very helpful to all of us. This video and the follow up videos will give us newbies a good grasp of BYOC from young trees.
This will be a very interesting project for all us home fruit gardeners to monitor the maintenance and development of the group planting of trees throughout the upcoming months and years.
This youtube channel deserves way more exposure. So many people could be planting high density/backyard orchard culture but just don't know it's possible. I personally have been studying all your videos which have been an amazing help. Thank you for providing this teaching material.
It would be if they posted more and posted update videos. It would be the most popular garden channel on YT.
Brilliant! Oh, how I wish I had known about this approach before I wasted so much space and let my trees become standard size. Too soon oldt, too late schmart, as my Pennsylvania Deutsch neighbor used to say!
Super helpful videos as I plan my first backyard orchard. I had no idea I could plant the trees so close together with summer pruning! Thanks!
Excellent info, would love to see and update especially of the group plantings
So gray thanks for sharing these
Hi Tom, I've been watching your video's for a while now and just watched the back yard orchard program where planting behind your offices and it was great. I also noticed that you were planting the fruit trees very deep. looed to me that it was deeper than what the root ball was on the tree!
Very nice varieties and info re: sizes and pruning fruit trees. Thanks, my backyard orchard will be great!
Lovely video. LOTS of information. Gotta watch ready to take notes. THANKS!
can't wait to see how it does
Arrived here via Plant Abundance channel.
Looking. Forward to learning from your videos.
That was a great video!
@memberson M106 is a good adaptable rootstock. It is comparable to M111, maybe slightly smaller, but not as dwarfing as M7. So you're probably looking at a tree that will get to 13-15 feet if left unpruned. With a little summer pruning you can still easily keep it in a small space.
Great stuff! What is your row spacing?
Sounds like a great project
@michaelgirvine The dominate variety will be the largest branch on your multi-bud. So plant the tree with the smallest, weakest looking branch to the Southwest, and prune all the branches to the height of the smallest branch. Then continue to prune the tree so the varieties stay even.
Here in the NW, Western Cascades the strongest winds come from the SSW so its recommended to plant with strongest root (bareroot) and strongest leader durected and toward the wind.
Tom would you able to do planting guide on persimmon fruit trees? I have found they are very tricky to grow for many people but for some they super easy .
Please cover the most important points of what soil , climate type and water requirements. Etc.
Thanks
Very informative Thank you
Great info. ! Time to cook.
Dave, Hello! I love you videos! Just this year I really started to get planting things in my back yard but I did not realize that where I planted my blueberries that part of them was in a low area so when it rains for a little while their sitting in water.(especially in the spring)!! So if I did them up and raise up that whole area do you think it might kill them? Lisa P. 🌺 And what kind of dirt would I use
Blueberries require fast draining, acidic PH soil. Always a risk of loosing plants when transplanting them but sounds like your only opportunity to rescue them. They will almost certainly die out under the conditions you describe.
@JOHNFMKN Depending on the variety it may have a few fruits first year. By third year you should have plenty.
How close can you plant multibudded trees next to each other? I purchased both of your 4-1 pluot trees and am a bit limited in space. See the spacing mentioned in the video for most plantings except for the multi budded, so just wanted to check. Thanks!
👍👍👍👍👍
Hi Tom!
great project... I just started my BYOC this year and Im excited. How are you guys going to do the grapes? Thats where im having difficulty. BTW dave wilson grows the best quality trees.
hi, and thank you for great demo, I planted 2 weeks ago white cherry, plum tree about 16 feet away, and fig tree. DO I need another white cherry tree for pollinating? Thank you
Promising!
Will there be an update video on how the orchard is doing?
what went into preparing the soil for this orchard?
I live in a typical small suburban lot, how far away from the 6 ft tall fence line should I plant (peach on standard lov.) to avoid intrusion into my neighbor's property line?
Hello DWN! I was wondering what happened with the pomegranate project? You talk about them in this video and then never again (That I've seen. Maybe I missed it?) I'd love to see how you prune them and if the espaliers did well. Thanks!
I purchased a Dave Wilson Pomegranate plant just like the one you planted. It's a small bush form. How long will it take to fruit?
How well will these ideas adapt to the hot summer here in the North Texas/DFW area? I'd really like to try this in my own backyard. And one other thing, I'd like to plant part of the fruit trees as an edible privacy hedgerow. From my back step, I can count 12 roof tops in the winter when the leaves are off, and 5 of those houses, some two-story can see directly into my back yard and pool.
They would do fine, it's quite hot here as well. You would want to pant your trunk to prevent sunburn, and be sure to use a think layer of mulch over the root zone.
I called my local county extension agent, told them about the close planting concept and she thought I was crazy. I sent her a link to your UA-cam channel. How about my edible hedgerow idea? Other than the videos, do you have any other resources for these BYO ideas; some kind of table or handout you've given at talks or something. The videos are fantastic but I'd like the ideas boiled down into something I can more readily use.
is it ok to plant fruit trees in a raised bed or mound and fill with just good compost?
What is the spacing between the rows. I want to do an espalier orchard with trees about 6 feet tall. I will be aligning my trees so that the branches grow north/south as in this video. How much space should I leave between rows east/west to avoid them shading each other? My yard is only 70 feet wide, and I'd like to work in as many rows as possible.
We just ran a disc over the area a couple times. The equivalent of a good tilling.
so what happened to this plot?
So here it is the month of June down on the Gulf Coast of Texas in zone 9b and I just bought 2 pear and 2 nectarine trees at the local Lowes. I was told not to plant them until after the first frost but sitting in 1 gallon pots when the temperature will be hitting 100+ degrees I think would be worse. Should I really wait or plant now? I have made 3ft x 3ft x 3ft deep planter boxes as all we have here is clay. I do not have good compost but I do have some that is fair. Any suggestion would be appreciated. Thank you and thank you for all your videos.
Planting them now will be fine.
I purchased a bare root Minnie Royal cherry tree three months ago. I potted it, as per instructions, and it was doing well, sprouted a few leaves. I had to go away on business for a few weeks and I think it was over watered by the person keeping an eye on my garden. The leaves that grew have died. Is there any hope? Please help!
Hi Dave
What is your analysis about the best spacing for the hedge in pomegranates in feets
Please mention the spacing between plant to pant and row row if in orchard
Tree spacing can be between 6 to 8 feet. Row spacing 8 to 10 feet.
@@DaveWilsonTrees i would be very thankful to you if you mention the main principles of cutting of pomegranate in high density orchard in hedge row system?
Thanks
@@DaveWilsonTrees @Dave Wilson Nursery i would be very thankful to you if you mention the main principles of cutting of pomegranate in high density orchard in hedge row system?
Thanks
When creating the multibudded trees , was that done via chip budding? I am dabbling with grafting root stocks this season, mostly whips but would like to try a multi budded asian pear. I am having difficulty locating information on the process, thank you for any advice you can provide on this.
+LI Gardener We use the T bud method.
+Dave Wilson Nursery Thank you for the quick response. Is it best practice to limit the amount of buds you place in one season? Can I do 3 on a x97 1/2 caliper rootstock? Do you have any grafting videos other than the cleft grafting?
We put down a few citrus trees, mandarins, orange, fruit salad tree a couple years ago and they were planted in our clay/rock type of ground and left for 2 years without anything. They grass has grown around them and they have sunk in the ground abit and haven't grown much and are now stunted at only around 30 cm or less with little growth/foliage what would be the best way to nurse them to health? Dig them out and pot them or transplant them in ground somewhere else with better care? Thankyou
Here are a few tips that will start you off in the right direction when growing citrus
1. Full sun exposure
2. Soil should be fast draining. If not plant on a rise 8" to 12" above grade.
3. When you dig planting hole it should be twice as wide as the root ball. New roots will spread out not so much down. Make sure to pre compact soil under neath the root ball to eliminate settling.
4. Fertilize three to four times through the growing season. February through July. No feeding August through January.
5. Irrigate throughly and allow soil to go slightly dry in between irritations. Keep a chapel on soil moisture with a moisture meter.
6. Mulch around the tree with a 2" to 4" layer of bio diverse mulch. Do not allow grass or weeds to grow under or around the tree. Keep a 12" circumference area clear of mulch directly around the trunk and mulch out to 3' beyond the drip line.
7. Whitewash the main trunk and any exposed bark. Especially any facing south to south/west.
On transplanting, best time to do so would be in the fall to early winter. If you have to do it at this time. Move the containers into a shaded area for three to four weeks. Re introduce to full sun exposure slowly.
Where are you growing? Nice hat I need something similar 👌
We’re in central California, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains
When you say multiple budded, do you mean that one tree is are grafted with multiple brands of the fruit? Otherwise what did you mean? Also what kind of pear trees did you plant? Very educational. Thanks.
Yes, multi-buds have up to 5 different varieties on them. Our favorite pears include Harrow Delight and Blakes Pride. Bartlett and Bosc are popular also.
very interested thanks "> am from Thailand">
Wen u plant the new plants do u use any special soil or do u reuse the soil u dig out. And then add mulch on top.
jnarez1 We don't recommend amending the soil. Use all your mulch on top.
Can u cut the tops off apple or peach tree from trees bout at home Depot or Lowes? I don't know how old they are but they are about 6ft tall plus
The apple is fine, but sometimes larger caliper peach/nectarine don't push after topping low. You don't want to top either of them now, unless you can do so without removing all the foliage. This winter you can prune them lower.
@@DaveWilsonTrees will they die if I remove all the foliage or will the foliage grow back? I'm in South Texas so I still have a couple months until the first freeze
If you remove all foliage now, they will likely die. Wait until they are completely dormant, or just before bloom.
This looks scary. Why did you plant these varieties so close together? Do you plan to transplant them later? Are these dwarf trees? I was under the impression that the space allotted to a tree was determined by its "drip diameter"- the normal span around the tree's branches when it matures.
It's a high-density orchard. More trees in less space. Tree size is controlled by summer pruning. It's a technique for small yards, or people who want to keep their trees small. In the space of one full size tree, you could plant 4 successively ripening varieties. So instead of one crop all at once, you get 4 crops spaced out over a couple months.
Thanks for your prompt response. I was also curious about yields, and the economic feasibility of having these trees in your back yard. Is it really economical to grow these trees vs. going to the supermarket? Thanks again.
You will get more than enough fruit from a tree pruned to stay at 6 or 7 feet tall. The plain truth is you just can't get good fruit from the grocery store. It will always be under ripe. Once you get used to tree-ripe fruit, you will never buy grocery fruit again.
I have a question guys . Its almost June now and I was wondering if my tree's have to be dormant to cut them off at the 18" trunk ? I have been given a 3 apple and a peach tree they are what I assume 1 yr trees and was wanting to use the backyard orchard technique you all use. I just don't want to cut the top off the tree now if it is going to kill the tree and not be a pruning .
You don't want to cut all the foliage off now. You can prune them back now, but only as low as the lowest branching.
Thank you ! They will be relatively short once I get them in the ground and once pruned back I am trying to keep them between 5 and 6 feet tall . Thanks for the videos I am sure you will be hearing from me again !
@@DaveWilsonTrees wont it grow back during fall?
How close can you plant apples peaches or plums to a house if you keep it no taller than 9 feet?
Espalier trees are often planted right against a wall. Allow about two feet otherwise.
Think I just got way in over my head
was this filmed in 2002?
2011.
I'm not very knowledgable in tree root stocks, but how do you know which one you get or what are the different types?
All of our trees come with a descriptive rootstock ID label. We have lots of info on our website about selecting rootstocks.. www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/growing-fruits-and-nuts/selecting-varieties-and-rootstocks
When planting peaches on citation in a 12 inch raised bed, what type of soil would you recommend? I was thinking 50/50 mix but I am not sure! Thanks
We recommend using a good sandy loam topsoil. Which you can find at a landscape supply. Fill the bottom few inches of your raised bed with a mix of the topsoil and a potting mix, then fill the rest with just topsoil. Add compost and mulches to the top.
Dave Wilson Nursery
Any updates on this orchard
Dear Dave Wilson Nursery
I planted doubble grafted apple tree bare root last winters 2013. I am raising it as an espelier along the north facing fence.
I did not pruned it ( my bad) at the time of planting due to that there are no side branches at the bottom or in middle of the main trunk. And only growth at the top of the tree and I dont have 1st and 2nd 3rd but have 4th and 5th tier side arms to tie on the wire along the fence.
Same is the case with my Doubble Grafted Plums. :(
Please suggest what shall I do .?
Is it ok if I cut them back just below first wire in winter when it will dormant and restart from there or it is too late now ?
sandy
Multi-buds are all budded at about knee high, so you will have no limbs for your lower trellis.Can you can add a higher level?
No I really cant go more than 5 as it will be over the fence line.
Any other ootion do I have ?
What's the size of the area you guys have this demo garden set up? Thanks
How long should you wait to fertilize newly planted trees?
Shea M Low nitrogen fertilizer could be used about a month after planting. Higher nitrogen fertilizer can be applied after you see 4" to 6" of new growth.
Do you sell cherry trees that grow in Southwest Mississippi?
If anyone is growing plums or Pluots near you, you might be able to grow cherries. They would probably have fungal issues requiring sprays. Minnie Royal, Royal Lee and Crimson Royal are all low chill, the latter is self-fruitful as well.
Ok thanks
where are you located?
We are in Hickman, CA. East of Modesto in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
DAMN !! It's about time I found this WHATEVER you call it. Maybe I can ask a simple ????? I'm ASKing for my neighbor who couldn't figure out how to ask a ????? on this damn site. His QUESTION was why are my Peaches HARD as a ROCK ??? No answer ??? Great !!!! I'm just helping a freind. I'm sure he trust DW nurseries more thanI do.
They must not be ripe?
How long does it take to ripen ?? Is 6months long enough ??
How about leaving them until Christmas ?? Is that long enough ??
Where are you growing, and what variety is it?
60mi north of Houston
Elberta peach
The only thing I can think of is that it's not the variety, but the rootstock that has taken over and is setting fruit. Nemaguard or Lovell rootstocks, both set small inedible fruits, with a thick skin.