You can pick up crab apples by hand, with fruit-picking poles, or by shaking the branches and collecting the fallen fruit.
Here's a breakdown of the methods:
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By Hand: This is best for easily accessible fruit, especially if you're aiming to select only the ripest ones. Simply grasp the crab apple and gently twist or pull it from the branch.
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With Fruit-Picking Poles: These tools have a basket or claw at the end of a long pole, allowing you to reach higher branches. Position the basket around the crab apple and gently tug to detach it.
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Shaking the Branches: This is a quicker method for harvesting a large quantity, although it may result in some unripe or slightly damaged fruit.
- Preparation: Lay a tarp or sheet beneath the tree to collect the falling crab apples and prevent bruising.
- Execution: Firmly grasp a branch and shake it vigorously. The ripe crab apples should fall onto the tarp.
- Clean Up: Gather the tarp corners and transfer the crab apples to a container.
Crab apples are generally quite hardy and less prone to bruising than other types of fruit. Keep in mind that crabapples are typically tart and are best suited for processing into jams, jellies, and other preserves.
