Abstract Flower bud respiration of ‘Redhaven’ peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] remained relatively constant during rest and increased rapidly after rest termination, but stem tissue respiration remained relatively constant. Three seedling rootstocks (Lovell, Nemaguard, Siberian C) had no significant effect on respiration of flower buds. Stem tissue respiration was significantly higher on seedling rootstocks of Siberian C on most dates, as compared to Nemaguard, with Lovell generally intermediate.