High-hanging fruit is often the best quality, having received optimal sunlight and protection from ground pests. Harvesting fruit from tall trees presents a challenge of height, requiring careful planning and the right equipment to preserve the quality of the produce. Successfully accessing these upper branches ensures both the fruit and the harvester remain unharmed. This article provides practical solutions for safely gathering your harvest from elevated positions.
Essential Tools for High-Reach Harvesting
Reaching high-up fruit safely requires equipment designed specifically for the task. Specialized fruit ladders, often called orchard or tripod ladders, offer a stable base on uneven or soft ground, unlike conventional step ladders. Constructed from aluminum for durability and light weight, their tapered design minimizes damage to the tree canopy. These ladders often range from six to sixteen feet and feature a single pointed leg that provides stability when pressed into soil or grass.
A primary alternative for reaching higher branches without climbing is the use of pole harvesters, which extend the user’s reach significantly. Made from lightweight materials like aluminum or fiberglass, these poles often feature telescopic or segmented designs to adjust the length, sometimes reaching over 20 feet. The harvester head is typically a small basket or claw with soft prongs designed to secure the fruit. For delicate fruit, the basket often includes foam or soft padding to prevent bruising during detachment and lowering.
Harvester heads vary; some use a simple claw with a collection bag, while others feature a cutting or gripping mechanism operated by a cord or handgrip at the base. For fruit with thicker stems, a head with a cutting edge ensures a clean break rather than tearing the fruit. For larger operations or dense tree canopies, simple tarps or nets can also be spread beneath the tree to catch any fruit that may be gently shaken loose, though this method is reserved for hardier fruit destined for processing.
Safe and Effective Harvesting Techniques
The technique used to detach the fruit is paramount for maintaining its quality and prolonging storage life. When using a pole harvester, position the fruit inside the collector head so the stem rests between the prongs or cutting mechanism. A gentle twisting motion or slight tug on the pole is usually enough to separate the fruit from the branch without causing damage to the fruit spur.
Manage the weight in the collection basket by lowering the pole slowly and horizontally, avoiding dropping the fruit from a great height. Regularly emptying the basket prevents the weight of the fruit from bending the pole or causing the contents to bruise one another. For fruit that must be picked with the stem intact, such as apples and pears, a pole with a precise cutting action or specialized claw is necessary to avoid pulling the stem out of the fruit.
When picking by hand from a ladder, maintaining control over the fruit from detachment to placement is key. Grasp the fruit firmly and roll or twist it gently; easy release indicates ideal ripeness. If the fruit requires a hard pull, it is likely not ready, and forcing it can damage the tree’s fruiting wood. Place the harvested fruit directly into a small, manageable picking bag or bucket that can be lowered, preventing the need to climb down with a heavy, unbalanced load.
Prioritizing Safety During Elevated Work
Working at any height introduces the risk of a fall, making safety protocols a necessary part of the harvesting process. When setting up an orchard ladder, ensure the ground is stable and level, pressing the feet and the third stabilizing leg slightly into the soil. Before climbing, confirm the ladder is securely braced by giving it a slight push or shake.
Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder—either two feet and one hand, or one foot and two hands—when ascending or descending. The user’s belt buckle should remain centered within the vertical side rails; overreaching shifts the center of gravity, leading to a tip-over. Reposition the ladder frequently rather than leaning out for fruit just beyond a comfortable arm’s reach.
Environmental awareness is important; never use a ladder in high winds or on wet, slippery surfaces. Before raising any metal pole or ladder, scan the area for overhead hazards, particularly power lines, as metal tools conduct electricity and contact can be fatal. Working with a partner or spotter on the ground can increase safety, as they can stabilize the base of the ladder and monitor the conditions around the work area.