Mature citrus trees often present a challenge when it comes to harvesting their upper canopy fruit. The natural growth habit of orange trees means that the most sun-exposed and often highest-quality fruit sits far out of reach. Safely and efficiently collecting this high-hanging bounty requires careful planning. This planning must focus equally on preventing injury and securing the fruit without damage. This approach ensures a full, high-quality yield from older, established trees.
Knowing When Your Oranges Are Ready
Ripeness in oranges is not solely judged by the bright color of the rind, as some varieties can develop an orange hue before the internal sugars have fully matured. A reliable indicator is the firmness of the fruit; a ripe orange will feel heavy and solid in the hand, indicating a high juice content. The most accurate test involves sampling fruit from lower, easily accessible branches, which typically ripen at the same rate as the higher ones. Home growers usually rely on taste tests to confirm readiness. Harvesting should only begin after this internal readiness is confirmed, ensuring the effort spent reaching high branches is worthwhile.
Choosing the Right Tools for Height and Safety
Reaching the high canopy requires specialized equipment designed to extend reach while maintaining stability and control. The most common device is the pole fruit picker, which typically consists of an elongated, often telescoping pole made of lightweight aluminum. This pole is topped with a metal basket and a soft claw or gripping mechanism. This design allows the user to gently enclose the fruit and detach it with minimal force, cushioning the orange as it drops into the attached collection bag.
For fruit that is difficult to detach, pole-mounted pruning shears or loppers offer a clean cut at the stem. This clean cut is sometimes necessary for stubborn, thick-stemmed fruit. These cutting tools are often operated by a pull-cord mechanism. They should be used cautiously to avoid damaging the small fruit-bearing spurs on the branches.
When using ladders, an extension ladder is required to safely reach the upper branches. Stability is paramount for safety at height. The ladder must be placed on firm, level ground and securely tied off to a strong limb or the tree trunk before any ascent is attempted. Never rely on the ladder’s rubber feet alone, especially on uneven orchard ground.
Step-by-Step High Branch Harvesting Techniques
The harvesting process begins with securing the extension ladder at a safe angle, typically a 4:1 ratio. This means the base is positioned one foot out for every four feet of height against the tree. Before ascending, confirm the ladder is firmly lashed to the tree structure or a strong anchor point to prevent any lateral movement or slippage during the work. This stability is non-negotiable for safety.
When working from the ladder, the primary safety rule involves maintaining three points of contact at all times. This means two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, are always touching the ladder structure. It is strictly recommended to avoid standing on the top two rungs and never lean or overreach outside the ladder rails, which shifts the center of gravity dangerously.
Once safely positioned, extend the pole picker and maneuver the collection basket around the desired orange, ensuring the fruit is fully seated in the soft claw mechanism. The orange should be detached using a gentle, controlled twisting motion at the stem rather than a hard pull. This minimizes the risk of tearing the fruit’s calyx or damaging the delicate fruit-bearing spurs on the branches.
After successfully detaching the orange, the picker is slowly and deliberately lowered to the ground to prevent the fruit from bruising upon impact. Repeated rapid drops can compromise the quality of the entire collected yield. Emptying the collection bag frequently prevents crushing the fruit at the bottom under the increasing weight.