How to pick apples without damaging a tall apple tree
It would seem that picking apples is as simple as plucking them from a branch or shaking them off the tree. However, even this seemingly trivial task has its nuances and subtleties. Incorrect harvesting can damage branches, reduce yield, and even lead to the development of many apple tree diseases. In this article, we'll explain how, when, and what to use to properly harvest apples.
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When to harvest
The timing of apple harvest depends on many factors, including the variety itself (there are summer, fall, and winter varieties), the growing region, and the current year's weather conditions. Harvesting too early will not yield the desired flavor, while apples harvested too late will not keep well and will spoil quickly.
How to determine the ripeness of apples
There are several ways to determine the ripeness of apples:
- Pay attention to the fallen fruit – if there are large specimens among the fallen fruits, the harvest is mostly ripe.
- Press on the apple with your thumb and observe the dent. On unripe apples, the dent disappears because the flesh is still quite firm. If the skin separates when pressed, the apple is overripe. On ripe apples, the dent does not smooth out.
- Cut one apple to the core – in ripe fruits the seeds are dark brown over the entire surface.
- More complex chemistry method using iodine solutionIf you drop an aqueous solution on cut If you're eating an apple, the cut of an unripe fruit will turn blue due to the high starch content. A yellow cut indicates that the apple is overripe. The ideal condition is a yellow core with a blue edge.
There are also special kits available for testing apple ripeness.
How to properly harvest apples without harming the plant
To avoid harming the apple tree, the following rules should be followed during any type of harvesting:
- First, the fallen fruit is collected to rid the area of poor-quality apples, wormy, and diseased fruits - this will prevent the entire tree and crop from becoming infected;
- the process of collecting directly from the tree begins with the lowest branches, gradually moving to the upper ones;
- apples must be removed carefully along with the stem;
- There is no need to put in a lot of effort when picking the crop – ripe fruits come off the branches quite easily.
From a tall apple tree
The most difficult thing is to pick apples from the upper branches, especially if the apple tree is tall.
Fruits can be collected from tall trees using a stepladder or special fruit pickers, which will be discussed below.
Never shake the tree or knock the fruit down with a stick. The former disrupts sap flow and can easily damage the root system. A stick can easily break or damage branches, creating an entry point for infection. Shaking should only be done on individual branches.
From the upper branches
The principle of harvesting from the highest branches is the same as described above - using a stepladder, ladder or fruit pickers.
Apples from the upper branches are collected last.
With stairs
A ladder is an indispensable aid when harvesting fruit from high branches and trees. There are several designs. The simplest is a stepladder. It's easy to use, but not very convenient or safe. Using it as a support point against the tree trunk is highly undesirable, as it can damage the bark or even break the trunk under the weight. In this case, a spotter is needed to hold the ladder.
A stepladder is free of such drawbacks. When set up, it forms a stable triangle. Furthermore, the top of the stepladder has a convenient platform for standing or placing a container for collecting fruit. Aluminum structures are also lightweight and easy to maneuver between branches.
The best choice is a working platform, consisting of two ladders that lead up to a wide platform. They are stable and wide, allowing you to move between branches without having to adjust the structure. These models are primarily designed for construction or finishing work, but nothing prevents them from being used in gardens as well.
In the rain
Picking apples in the rain is not very convenient and is somewhat dangerous if you're using stepladders or ladders—establishing a stable structure on soft ground can be challenging. Also, wet apples will need to be picked anyway. dry before long-term storage.
Wet fruits slip easily from your hands, making harvesting difficult. Therefore, if possible, choose dry, windless weather for apple picking.
How to pick apples from a tree without a ladder
It's not always possible to use a ladder to harvest fruit, especially on older trees with dense branches, where there's a risk of breaking branches or the trunk. In these cases, fruit pickers or fruit pullers are used.
Using ready-made fruit pickers
Ready-made devices are available at gardening stores. They are tall enough to handle the fruit without damaging the fruit or branches, and they hold it securely. One popular design is a plastic "tulip," consisting of a cup with rounded petals and a long handle. The harvesting process is extremely simple: the fruit is placed in the cup, with the stem between the petals. To pick the apple, simply twist the picker.
Wire fruit pickers consist of wire, fishing line, and a plastic tube. The wire is secured to the end of a handle, and its ends are bent into rings through which the fishing line is threaded. To pick an apple, secure it in the center of the picker with the fishing line and gently twist it to separate the stem from the branch.
Fruit pickers with a gripper are suitable for small varieties. These devices are equipped with a special gripper that resembles a hand. The handle is equipped with a lever; when pressed, the "hand" is activated, and the apples are picked up by the picker. However, these devices are not safe for foliage.
Bag-shaped fruit pickers allow you to harvest several fruits in a row. A small bag is attached to a round shape with sharp petals. The fruit is then cut goes straight into the bag without damage.
Homemade fruit pickers
You can make your own fruit picker, similar to a ready-made one. The simplest design is from a 2-2.5 liter plastic bottle. Cut the bottle in half, using the part with the neck. Make a wedge-shaped slit along the cut line to separate the stem from the branch. Then attach a handle of the required length to the neck.
A fruit picker made from a bottle can be made a little differently. You'll need a long hollow tube, fishing line, and a plastic bottle. The holder is attached to the neck of the bottle, with a hole cut in the center slightly larger than the fruit. A cone-shaped cut is made in the top of the circle. When picking fruit using this design, the fruit is placed in the hole, and the cut is on the stem.
A structure similar to the "tulip" can be made from a tin can by attaching it to a handle, cutting off the bottom, and slicing and folding the outer parts inward. However, its sharp edges can easily damage foliage, fruit, and branches.
How to quickly pick apples from a tree
Shaking the fruit is considered the fastest method of harvesting, but this is damaging to both the tree and the fruit—they are easily damaged when falling, and their shelf life is compromised. Shaking should only be done on individual branches.
Fruit pickers can speed up the harvesting process while simultaneously protecting the tree from damage.
So, for safe apple harvesting, you can use homemade or ready-made fruit pickers. Shaking the trunk is highly discouraged, as this disrupts sap flow and damages the root system.
