Peach tree named ‘May Joy’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of peach tree, denominated ‘May Joy’, has clingstone, melting, yellow-flesh fruit with normal acidity and pleasant eating quality. The fruit typically are round, ripen approximately 1-2 weeks before ‘Flavorich’ (syn. ‘Rich May’) and 2-3 weeks before ‘Carored’ in early to mid-May in Byron, Ga., and have a high percentage of red blush with an attractive yellow ground color. The tree is moderately vigorous and semi-spreading in growth habit, has self-fertile showy pink flowers, and regularly bears crops in absence of severe spring frost. This cultivar has a winter chilling requirement estimated at approximately 650 chill hours and is suited for medium to high chill areas.

We claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct cultivar of peach tree named ‘May Joy’ as illustrated and described, characterized by a moderate chilling requirement, an early maturity, and attractive ripe fruit with a high coverage of red blush, melting texture, yellow flesh, normal acidity, pleasant eating quality, and clingstone.