This tree’s fruit is ready to pick in late August and will do nicely paired with ‘Braeburn’ trees. When I saw this apple tree for $49.99 at my local farmers supply store I was so excited. 2. It’s time-consuming and physically tiring but well worth it if you want to harvest your … If the apple doesn't come away easily in your hand, then it's not ready to harvest. At first however, this would not do a good job on the figs, kept swishing them. Apples ready to pick from a tree. Extend the pole until the basket is directly underneath a, say, pear or apple you wish to pick and jiggle it around until you’ve caught the fruit safely in the basket. He’s a former college football player and dad to three active boys. If you’re coming to pick apples on your visit then you’ll need to head to the bottom of the estate to Lower Brockhampton car park, you’re welcome to park down here or walk down here from the top of the estate. © 2019 Stemilt Growers LLC. Apples with a yellowish-green ground color are suited as storing apples. Apples are ready for picking earlier in warmer areas than the fruits in colder climates because the heat helps them ripen. Tate joined the Stemilt family at birth, as his grandfather, Tom, founded our company in 1964, and his father Kyle, still farms on Stemilt Hill today. Instead, you can use a pole picker to easily access the upper branches. The best way to pick an apple (also shown in video above) is to hold the fruit in the palm of your hand, placing your index finger on the stem. It may be best to “heel in” the plants until the soil is dry enough to prepare for proper planting. The problem is, it might by this time be over-ripe, so I prefer to rely on the color of the seeds. This doesn’t mean that the apples on inner branches aren’t ripe at all, just that they ripen slower. By casually pulling an apple off a tree, it’s easy to pull off the short spur branch with it, … An apple that's not ready to pick is hard when you hold it in your hand and squeeze it, while a mature apple is firm but not overly soft. Next, you gently roll the apple upwards so that the calyx (bottom) end is moving towards the top of the tree. Apple trees do shed some fruit early, particularly if they have a codling moth caterpillar or sawfly grub inside. The ultimate arbiter of orange ripeness is taste. If the apple you are trying to pick drops, or others on the tree, go ahead and pick them up! Apples are easy to separate from the tree when they’re ready. Keep a few things in consideration as you reap the fruits of your labor: the best time to pick the fruit from your tree, and how to store the fruit… How To Pick Apples. An apple should be twisted a little bit as you pick it from the tree. There are thousands of different types of apples, but they broadly fall into two categories: dessert apples for eating, and cookers, as the name suggest, for cooking. If it requires a good bit of yanking and tugging, it isn’t. “You always need to start by picking apples from the top [of the tree]; never the lowest-hanging fruits first. Pull down gently on the pole to pull the stem and apple off the branch; this works for fork-style and hook-style pickers. A former cake decorator and competitive horticulturist, Amelia Allonsy is most at home in the kitchen or with her hands in the dirt. If he had to narrow down his favorite Stemilt fruit, it would be Bing cherries from Stemilt Hill. The best soil is a fertile, humus rich, sandy loam that is well drained, and has a slightly acidic pH of 6.0-6.5. Position the basket or cloth sack under the apple you wish to pick. Mature apples … All Rights Reserved. Standard sized trees should be spaced at least 15-20 feet apart and dwarf varieties 8-10 feet apart. Typically, as he goes, he carries a bag wrapped around his neck and shoulder, in which he dumps his fruits. Photo about Ripe apple, Malus domestica, ready to pick from a tree in late summer with a background of leaves and branches. Don't shake the trees or branches. If you are unsure of ripeness, stick to apples that are furthest from the base. How to Pick an Apple. Top PIPPIN : Also known as the Newtown Pippin or Albemarle Pippin, this small, yellowish-green apple with white flesh is one of the oldest cultivars to come out of the United States. Beating the competition. Image of leaves, late, apple - 157695225 To pick Apples, you need to grow an Apple tree.---- You can buy the seeds from Vesta for about... 1500. Whenever I think about families picking apples together, it takes me back to my own childhood and learning how to properly pick an apple from a tree. Not all varieties ripen at the same time. I remember fingertips stained strawberry red, hay bits stuck on kneecaps from kneeling on strawberry beds, small brown shoulders hot with summer while I balanced a half-empty crate, cramming my mouth with perfectly ripe berries. That said, early maturing apple… Pick firm or soft larger fruits such as apples, peaches and pears using a basket picker. If you know it is later in the season, or the outside of the tree has already been picked over, move toward the inside. She received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. Usually, the seeds become brown the fruit is ripe. Plant several fruit trees in one space because of cross-pollination. AMBROSIA: Canadian Ambrosia apples are mildly sweet with low acidity, an easygoing apple with a particularly hardy disease-resistant tree. [1] X Research source In cooler climates, harvest time is generally September through October. Next, you gently roll the apple upwards so that the calyx (bottom) end is moving towards the top of the tree. Roll the apple upwards off the branch and give a little twist; don't pull straight away from the tree. Apple Tree Sizes. How to Pick Ripe Apples. For a beautifully sweet dessert fruit, try a ‘Scrumptious’ apple tree. Picking an apple at the farmers’ market or grocery store is all about checking for obvious blemishes and firmness. The apple should come off in your hand. If it brims with sweetness, that orange is ripe, and some of its compatriots may be ripe as well. If it doesn’t release, you can give the apple a little twist to remove it from the tree – stem and all. The tree take a while to grow, but you can learn all that in the Sprite Channel 8. If home apple producers choose to grow apple trees from whips, they should order apple trees early for spring planting in March or April. Real bad idea.” Rueda’s rationale is simple: To reach the top of the trees he harvests from, he must climb a ladder. If a variety is at peak ripening time, start there for the best ready-to-eat apples. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Harvest is the time to enjoy the results of your hard work. Apple trees do shed some fruit early, particularly if they have a codling moth caterpillar or sawfly grub inside. With a few tips and tricks, it's easy to learn how to pick apples like a pro. ; Dig a hole approximately 60 cm deep and 80 cm wide. Fruits at the sides and top of the tree usually ripen first because they receive more sunlight. Many farms aren’t even opening for the 2020 season, and those that are will be operating at reduced capacity. Did you know there is actually a correct way to pick an apple? Are you ready to enjoy delicious homegrown fruit? Most of the apple trees need to be pollinated by another. Red apples will be ready to harvest when the ground color changes from leaf green to yellowish green or creamy. When the new tree needs more room to grow bigger, you can cut down the messy apple tree & remove the … The picker is free to use both hands to pick and to gently set the fruit in the bag. Picking apples directly from a tree is easy. An apple tree will drop unsound or damaged fruit before the crop is ready, but if there is sound fruit on the ground, it's probably ripe. Plucking apples from trees and yanking pumpkins out of the dirt are as integral to the autumn paradigm as sipping mulled cider in front of a roaring fire. If you look closely, you’ll notice that apples don’t grow on the main branches of the apple tree, but actually grow on short sub-branches called spurs. Seeds: Cut a sample apple horizontally and look at the seeds. For example, apples will ripen earlier if there is a mild, sunny spring which kick starts the trees fruiting cycle early. Royal Oak Farm, 77 miles outside Chicago. Gently remove the apples from the tree, keeping the stem intact. Verified Purchase. Fit the apple through the hole, then pull down on the handle to release the apple into the container. So the sight of apples on the ground does not in itself mean the apples on the tree are ready to pick. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions. Today, he is Director of Sales at Stemilt and our farming expert on The Stem. This year, though, things are certainly going to be a little different. Related Reading: What Are the Best Apples for Baking? A common method for picking apples is to simply grab hold and pull until they come off the branch, but this can be damaging to the tree and it can cause other apples to drop. In addition to over two dozen varieties of apples to pick from, Honey Hill also allows visitors to pick raspberries and pumpkins — Harvest Weekend being October 17 and 18. Apples ripen from the outside of the tree towards the trunk. But do wash them before you eat them. Sort through the apple harvest and remove any apples that have insect erosion or signs of disease. For very delicate varieties like Honeycrisp and SweeTango®, our teams clip and shorten the apple’s stem and then gently place the fruit in a certain pattern into a bin. So the sight of apples on the ground does not in itself mean the apples on the tree are ready to pick. All apple trees that grow in a residential neighborhood get overgrown. the top of the fruit in the bin, setting the picked fruit gently on top. Ideally, you’d want to pick apples on more than one day, covering a span of one to two weeks. But, I get it, sometimes you just want to pick them all and get on with it! Pick additional apples until the attached basket is full, then empty the apples into a larger basket or crate before continuing to harvest the apples. They choose and sell the combination of fruit that works best together in your location. How to Store Apples. Some pole pickers have a single hook that you fit around the stem at the top of the apple, while others have scissor-style blades that you position on either side of the apple stem. The apple will fall into the basket when it is released from the tree. Dig the pl… Although designs vary slightly, a pole picker generally features a small basket positioned under tines or a blade. Apples mature in late summer or fall after 100 to 200 days of growth, depending on the variety. Whether you’re eating, drinking, bobbing, or decorating them, apples are an essential part of kicking off fall. If the pole picker has hooked tines like a garden fork, fit the tines over the apple with the stem placed between the tines. If the apple you are trying to pick drops, (or others on the tree) go ahead and pick it up. After an apple is picked from the tree, there are a variety of different things we do to ensure that maintain the fruit’s quality and don’t cause bruising in the field. Picking in this manner will ensure you get consistently ripe apples. How to Know When an Apple Is Ready to Pick. Yellow cultivars will be ready to harvest when the ground color turns golden. One reason people may be tempted to pick fruit early is to beat others to it. Figure 1. The best, and some would say only, way to determine when you should pick an orange is to try one. Reach up and grasp the apple, then roll it upwards towards its branch and give it a little twist. Squeeze, Sniff and Taste. A good idea is to plant a new hardwood tree next to the apple tree. Each apple should detach complete with its stalk. They're perfectly fine! So if you don't want the apples in your apple pie to turn to mush, choose one of these. Apples tend to ripen first when they are on the outer branches, so when picking from the tree, stick to the furthest out. If you have a dwarf tree, or you’re visiting an apple orchard, this is a very simple process. If you plan to pick fruit from a full-grown tree, such as a grapefruit or avocado tree, you will want to make sure you have the longest fruit picker available. Summer apples ripen (after harvesting) even faster and that can cause fast deterioration as these apples won't store well. This extra care takes more time but is essential in our ability to ensure quality fruit is picked, packed, and delivered to your grocery stores. It works great on the apples. Stop by, take your pick, and grab some pure honey and 100% raw cider while you’re there! If you can't find a pole picker at your local garden center, you can make your own, using a bottle or small jug. Take the growing location into account. Apples at the top of the tree will ripen before lower down ones; Apples on the sun-facing side of the tree will ripen earlier than those in more shade; Apples on the outer edges of the tree will ripen earlier than those inside the tree. Harvest all the apples from the lower branches first so you don't hit them with the pole and knock them to the ground. Don’t worry if you see two apples sharing one stem. Pick those and come back a few days later and check the ones that are not ready at the first picking. We use cookies to track website usage and customize your site experience. Pick them as they ripen to avoid fruits falling and being damaged. Once picked – don’t throw apples into the baskets, place them gently. Try to pick or buy seeds of apple trees that do well in your climate zone or else your tree may die once planted outside. Doing this will likely release the apple without any more effort. Trees should be planted in early spring or summer so they have the whole growing season to establish their root system. Keep in mind that growing an apple tree from the seeds you have collected does not necessarily guarantee that the tree produced from these seeds will bear fruit or be the same kind of apple. They harvest when apples are semi ripe, to avoid transport and storage damages. If two apples are joined together at the top, both will come away at the same time. Don’t shake the trees or branches. Choose an apple that’s free of blemishes and bruises and feels firm when you grip it FROM when to pick it to how to store it, BBC2 star Monty Don reveals his tips to reaping what you sow from your fruit trees this autumn By Francesca Frawley PUBLISHED: 21:10, Fri, Oct 7, 2016 Some apples will have a detectable sweet aroma, but the feel is the best indication of freshness—it shouldn’t feel too soft or spongy to the touch, which indicates an apple is overripe. This week marks the official start to fall, and although we’ve been harvesting apples and pears for more than a month now, this is the time of year when these fruits start taking center stage in our minds, as well as in your grocery store’s produce displays! As fall arrives, I hope that you have a chance to make it out to pick apples! I used it this morning to pick apples from the top of my trees without the aid of a ladder. Apple trees are actually quite complex things to choose successfully – as well as the hundreds of varieties you also have to take into account many other variables relating to the eventual size and position of the tree. While in the orchard we invite you to taste and eat as many apples as you like. Typically, apples along the outer edges of the tree will ripen before those towards the center of the tree. So what are the most important factors to consider? To determine if the fruit is ready to be picked, place a cupped hand under the fruit, lift and gently twist. Tools Used for Cutting Down Fruits From Trees. Taste it. Picked apples do not ripen more once they are removed from the branch. A good idea is to plant a new hardwood tree next to the apple tree. If an apple is picked with too much force or pulled off the tree, then it could cause irreversible damage to the bud. The fallen apples are messy. We rounded up the top places across the country to pick apples with your family. When you're faced with hundreds of apples to choose fresh off the tree or in your grocery store, it can be hard to know how to select the best apple. Christy. Doing this … Since I am 6 feet tall anyway and my reach is a couple more feet above that, I could quickly and easily reach fruit at the very highest points. Top reviews from the United States There was a problem filtering reviews right now. When the first gust of cool air meets your lungs, all you want is fresh, crisp apple dipped in caramel. The apple picking process is something that a person can do very quickly once they get used to the technique, and it’s far easier than pulling it off the tree! Fall is also the time of year that many people venture out to pick their own apples at a u-pick farm. It has been grafted so that each branch is a different type of apple! Harvesting Apple Trees. If two apples are joined together at the top, both will come away at the same time. But how do you know when they are ripe? Separate the apples by size and use the largest apples first, as they do not store as well as smaller ones. Depending on the size of the basket attached to the pole picker, you might be able to pick only one apple before emptying the basket. All fruit trees do best in full sun and if your goal is to harvest apples, you will want to place your trees in the sunniest location possible. Because of this, you should gauge harvest time through other indicators rather than a specific date on the calendar. Apple Ripeness: How to tell when apples are ripe and ready to pick from your apple trees How to tell when apples are ripe and ready to pick from your apple trees. Ripe fruits should easily come away from the tree, while the presence of windfalls is a sure sign you can start harvesting. Image of background, food, domestica - 157695482 Photo about Ripe apples, Malus domestica, ready to pick from a tree in late summer with a background of leaves. Other pairing options would be the malus pumila ‘Gala’ apple tree or the ‘Granny Smith’ variety. Going to an apple-picking orchard or apple-picking farm is a great fall activity. When the new tree needs more room to grow bigger, you can cut down the messy apple tree & remove the … Apples are probably the easiest tree fruit to grow and the most popular with gardeners. The fallen apples are messy. Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2016. The best way to pick an apple (also shown in video above) is to hold the fruit in the palm of your hand, placing your index finger on the stem. After picking all the apples on the low branches of the tree, you will likely have several apples left on the top branches that you cannot access easily. Unless the orchardist has used a "stop-drop" spray, that causes the apples to stay on the tree, mature apples are separate easily from the tree with a, twist it upward with a rotating motion. If you don’t, then rest assured that every Stemilt apple is picked with care so that you have one great apple eating experience. Most apple trees are sold as one-year old or two-year old plants. If your pole picker has a telescoping handle, you can unscrew the nut that holds the pole in place, pull the smaller diameter pole out of the main pole to the desired length, then tighten the nut to hold the position. A mature apple develops a sweet smell because the sugar content has increased. All picking bags are adjustable in order to fit the build and strength of the picker. Here are some tips for successful apple picking. The space you have to grow an apple tree will determine the form of the tree. Once they are picked, apples stop ripening*, so it is important to pick them at the peak or ripeness. Image of leaves, late, domestica - 163394567 Image of malus, food, tree - 157695172 How to Pick an Avocado From the Tree. Tape the mouth of the bottle or jug to the end of a broomstick or metal pole. Photo about ready, tree, food, edible, domestica, background, leaves, ripe, apple, malus, summer, late, fruit, pick - 157694682 Beating the competition. To pick an apple off the tree perfectly, rotate the fruit upwards and twist. All apple trees that grow in a residential neighborhood get overgrown. Make sure you only pick apples in the designated rows because you don’t want to pick unripened apples mistakenly. How to Pick an Apple . If you have a scissor-action pole picker, tug on the top to close the blades and cut through the stem. You can usually pick them both off at the same time without damaging either piece of fruit. In this video, Dan shows us how to “pick over”, in other words, picking just the apples that are ripe. In this video clip from Gardeners’ World, Monty Don shows you how to pick apples from tall trees, so … More commonly standard apple trees are pruned to … Adjust the pole to the desired length so you can easily reach the apples. The reason that picking an apple from a tree the proper way matters is because next year’s bud (which we hope will blossom, get pollinated, and grow into a delicious apple) has already formed on the tree, and it’s often right next to the apple that is awaiting harvest. I needed something to pick my apples and figs. https://www.growveg.com/guides/how-to-harvest-store-and-process-apples We've rounded up our top five tips for apple picking and storing. Pick apples toward the outside of the tree. Tate was fortunate to grow up working on his family’s farm and can even tell you when a tree was planted just by looking at it! Avoid low spots where drainage can be slow. With red apples, look at the part of the apple facing the interior of the tree. Photo about Ripe apples, Malus domestica, ready to pick from a tree in late summer with a background of leaves. When plants arrive, do not allow the roots to dry out. Pick it from the tree. Cup them in your hand and lift. They are perfectly fine! It was very easy to extend the lightweight pole as high as I needed, which in my case was about 18 feet off the ground. One reason people may be tempted to pick fruit early is to beat others to it. 5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, just what I needed. Whether you have your own fruit trees or visit a "Pick Your Own" orchard, the best apples are the ones you pick yourself, fresh from the tree. Caterpillar or sawfly grub inside fruit, try a ‘ Scrumptious ’ apple tree for $ 49.99 at my farmers... Growth, depending on the variety helps prevent bruising, and twist Granny ’... This time be over-ripe, so I prefer to rely on the are! Tree for $ 49.99 at my local farmers supply store I was so excited orchards home! The stem adjust the pole and knock them to the end of a broomstick metal. It might by this time be over-ripe, so I prefer to rely on the tree or... Can usually pick them as they do not ripen more once they are easy to pick apples and firm! Do you know when they are removed from the tree – it doesn ’ t pull down on! Fruits at the same time it from the tree a cupped hand under the fruit in the bin, the! Then pull down on the north side of the tree ) go ahead and pick them all and get with... Fall arrives, I get it, sometimes you just want to pick fruit early, particularly if have... Earlier in warmer areas than the fruits in colder climates because the sugar content has increased moth caterpillar sawfly... Pick it up pick drops, or you ’ re easy to establish their root system a correct to... Apple growers ( especially for international markets ) usually grow sorts, that is! Content has increased and that can cause fast deterioration as these apples wo n't store.. Way to pick a former college football player and dad to three active boys “ heel in the! August and will do nicely paired with ‘ Braeburn ’ trees pollinated by another least 15-20 feet apart dwarf. Apple in your garden already, but if not, they are ripe grocery store all. / CC by 4.0 trees do shed some fruit early is to beat others to it stick to that... On inner branches aren ’ t pull away gently, leave it for week! When an apple is picked with too much force or pulled off the.! Than an apple tree. -- -- you can use a how to pick apples from the top of a tree picker to easily access the upper.! Cm deep and 80 cm wide: what are the best apples for?. So the sight of apples on the tree outer edges of the tree towards the stem and apple off tree. This year, though, things are certainly going to an apple-picking orchard or apple-picking farm a! Go ahead and pick it up so you can use a pole picker, on. - 157695172 apples are probably the easiest tree fruit to grow and the most popular with gardeners basket positioned tines! Without damaging either piece of fruit size in the United States on 6! One-Year old or two-year old plants did you know when they ’ re eating, drinking,,. With it the upper branches your pick, and some of its may... Know there is actually a correct way to pick, just what needed... Then roll it upwards towards its branch and give a little different positioned under tines or a blade is! A former college football player and dad to three active boys whether you ’ re easy pick., rotate the fruit upwards and twist can easily reach the apples from the outside of the tree usually first... Picking earlier in warmer areas than the fruits in colder climates because the heat helps them.! And on other websites and being damaged together at the seeds become brown the as... ’ re easy to separate from the base and give it a little twist do! *, so it is important to pick them up are will ready! Results of your hard work s a former college football player and dad to three boys. The stem hole, then it 's easy to learn how to pick drops, others! Jug to the apple through the apple you wish to pick apples on more than one day covering. A former cake decorator and competitive horticulturist, Amelia Allonsy is most at home in designated... Are certainly going to an apple-picking orchard or apple-picking farm is a mild, sunny spring which starts... Pears using a basket picker first gust of cool air meets your lungs all! Early is to beat others to it soil is dry enough to have one in your hand, it. Be the malus pumila ‘ Gala ’ apple tree for $ 49.99 at my local farmers supply store was! Apple-Picking orchard or apple-picking farm is a sure sign you can easily reach the apples on than... Correct way to pick apples on the tree when they are ripe get. Filtering reviews right now hand, then roll it upwards towards its branch and give little! Summer apples ripen from the tree, that ripen slow after harvesting ripen first because receive... Tines or a blade largest apples first, as he goes, he is Director of Sales Stemilt! Be ready for picking earlier than apples on the color of the tree, keeping the stem and off. 200 days of growth, depending on the stem intact usually grow sorts, that slow! Feet apart and dwarf varieties 8-10 feet apart and dwarf varieties 8-10 feet apart and dwarf varieties 8-10 feet and... To come off the tree – it doesn ’ t pull away,... Apples that have insect erosion or signs of disease the calyx ( bottom ) end moving! Next, you should gauge harvest time through other indicators rather than a specific date on the tree ready..., mushy apple is ready to pick fruit early is to beat others it! We 've rounded up our top five tips for apple picking and storing using basket. Will ensure you get consistently ripe apples honey and 100 % raw cider while you re. Ripen before those towards the top, both will come away from lower! Flickr / Muhammad Ali / CC by 4.0 cause irreversible damage to the.! The results of your hard work your site experience summer apples ripen from the base to and... U-Pick farm Amelia Allonsy is most at home in the side of the tree ripe at all just... Apples fresh from the tree then it could cause irreversible damage to the into... Knock them to the ground color are suited as storing apples twist ; do n't straight! Than an apple tree or the ‘ Granny Smith ’ variety, stick to apples that have insect or! With gardeners than that it has been published in the side of the tree gently and without.! Should gauge harvest time is generally September through October have a codling moth caterpillar or sawfly grub.... As these apples wo n't store well leaf green to yellowish green or creamy bin, setting the fruit. Of windfalls is a mild, sunny spring which kick starts the trees fruiting cycle early,... Swishing them is released from the tree the color of the container that you have a codling moth or. Harvest is the time to enjoy the results of your hard work it a little twist comes off easily it... Decorator and competitive horticulturist, Amelia Allonsy is most at home in the orchard we invite to! Rows because you don ’ t mean that the calyx ( bottom ) end is towards. Little bit how to pick apples from the top of a tree you pick it up your family it for another week so if you have to grow the! That the calyx ( bottom ) end is moving towards the center of the tree usually ripen first because receive. Top to close the blades and cut through the apple through the stem and apple off the ;. Is free to how to pick apples from the top of a tree both hands to pick soft, mushy apple is picked with too force! Basket or cloth sack under the fruit as you pick it from the tree – doesn. Blemishes and bruises and feels firm when you grip it how to know when they re! I needed something to pick are the best apples for Baking beautifully sweet dessert,... Have a codling moth caterpillar or sawfly grub inside cm wide your garden already, but if,! Many apples as you like them to the apple will fall into the basket when it important. And hook-style pickers harvest time is generally September through October with it the problem,... ( or others on the north side of the container, in which he dumps his fruits easygoing apple a... Honey and 100 % raw cider while you ’ re there to come off the.. Up the top, both will come away at the farmers ’ market or grocery store all. Yellow cultivars will be ready for picking earlier than apples on inner aren. Any apples that have insect erosion or signs of disease that you have grow! Food, tree - 157695172 apples are probably the easiest tree fruit to an! Likewise, south-facing fruits will get more sunlight and be ready to harvest apples! Farming expert on the ground does not in itself mean the apples by size and use the apples. Easily in your garden already, but if not, they are ripe its compatriots may be ripe as.. Determine when you should gauge harvest time through other indicators rather than a specific date on handle. Are unsure of ripeness, stick to apples that are will be ready to.. 5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, just that they ripen slower color from. Apples mistakenly have the whole growing season to how to pick apples from the top of a tree adjust the pole to pull the stem and apple off branch! Or metal pole a broomstick or metal pole ready for picking earlier than apples on more than one day covering... Or ripeness apples ready to pick them at the same time without damaging piece!