5 Apple Harvesting Tools for Difficult-to-Reach Apples

There are numerous harvesting tools available to assist orchardists in obtaining difficult-to-reach apples from standard-sized trees. Here are a few to think about this apple season. It's easy to see why dwarf apple trees have grown in popularity. They have a smaller footprint than regular trees, making them easy to squeeze into compact spaces. Their reduced height also makes pruning and harvesting apples a breeze.

Apple Harvesting Tools

There are numerous harvesting tools available to assist orchardists in obtaining difficult-to-reach apples from standard-sized trees. Here are a few to think about this apple season.

It's easy to see why dwarf apple trees have grown in popularity. They have a smaller footprint than regular trees, making them easy to squeeze into compact spaces. Their reduced height also makes pruning and harvesting apples a breeze.

If you live on an old farm with decades-old apple trees, or if you've planted standard trees that are rapidly growing to lofty heights, you're probably wondering how to harvest fruit from upper branches. Only a few lower branches may be reachable by hand, with the biggest and best apples growing at the top of the tree, in full sunlight but completely out of reach.

The good news is that this isn't a new issue. There are numerous tools available to assist orchardists in harvesting the best apples. Here are a few to think about:

Apple Pickers

One of the safest and simplest ways to extend your reach is to use an apple picker. An apple picker is a simple wooden or metal pole with an apple harvesting tool at the end.

The tool could be a claw with a lever at the opposite end (perfect for harvesting one apple at a time). It could also be a metal basket with prongs for removing fruit from branches (ideal for harvesting many apples at once).

Stool, Step Stool, Ladder, and so on

Do you only need to add a few inches to your height? A household stool, step stool, or ladder may be useful.

Just make sure they're firmly planted on the ground (no wiggling or wobbling) before you climb up. And once you're up, be careful not to lean too far. You don't want to lose your balance or tip over your stool or ladder.

Scaffolding

If you're willing to spend a little more time harvesting apples from a large tree, building scaffolding underneath and around the tree can be a good option. Building wooden scaffolding can work well (provided it is strong enough to support you safely).

However, modular scaffolding made of metal frames, diagonal bracing rods, and wooden planks can be built to any size while remaining lightweight for movement. Simply be cautious when climbing or walking across scaffolding.

The Hay Wagon

Pulling a hay wagon (or any similarly elevated wagon or trailer) alongside or underneath a tall tree is one of my favorite ways to gain a little extra apple-picking height. Standing on the deck gives you a boost. Apple pickers can be used to extend your reach even further.

You'll have those tasty, hard-to-reach apples harvested in no time if you use one or more of these methods.