Question
I live in southeast Iowa and was given several peach tree sprouts (from pits) from an old fashioned white peach tree. They are very sweet but are not very large nor are they a cling free variety. The tree they came from had originally belonged to this ladies mother or grandmother, probably around 1900. Can you tell me anything about these trees? Are they native to Iowa or brought here by the pioneers.

Answer
Hi Jill,
Thanx for your question.  Generally, peaches don't do well in Iowa although there are some cultivars available for colder areas of the country such as SE Iowa.  I did find a reference for an heirloom peach

(see below)

http://www.localharvest.org/indian-white-freestone-native-peach-tree-seed-C242

I'm not a tree or fruit expert but this was the information I did find.  I would recommend that you contact the Iowa State University Cooperative Extension Service (link below)

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/

The Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa specializes in preserving heirloom/heritage fruits, vegetables, flowers, cattle, etc.  They can be contacted at the link below.

http://www.seedsavers.org/

It was my understanding that the true peach (Prunus persica) originated in China a couple thousand years ago.  Perhaps there are North American native varieties of which I'm not aware.

I hope this helps.
Tom