What's the proper way to pick apples without damaging trees?

Incorrectly picking apples can harm trees and decrease future fruit yield. The lift-and-twist method will help you avoid damaging fruiting spurs while harvesting your apples. To do this, gently hold the apple in your hand. Rotate the apple upward 90 degrees while simultaneously pulling slightly. This detaches the stem cleanly from the tree without tearing wood.

Be mindful of the timing of your harvest. Picking apples when they are wet from rain or dew causes them to slip quite easily, putting more stress on your spurs. Pick your outer branches first because that is where the fruit tends to ripen first. Go back for the shaded, inner apples when they have matured later.

Select appropriate containers. Use shallow baskets that are not deeper than 18 inches. Line them with foam or towels. Never pack them too full. I take several baskets to avoid stacking. Each step prevents bruising that starts to decay during storage.

With practice, lift-and-twist becomes second nature. My trees consistently produce year after year. The spurs are in the right place, healthy and functioning properly. Your careful technique rewards you with a healthy tree and all the good apples in every harvest.

Read the full article: When to Harvest Apples: Expert Timing Guide