Fruit Pickers

About Fruit Pickers

Fruit pickers are specialised garden tools designed to make harvesting fruit from trees and collecting windfall produce safer and more efficient. These ingenious devices eliminate the need for precarious ladders and painful bending, allowing gardeners, smallholders and orchard owners to gather apples, pears, plums, cherries and soft fruits from a comfortable standing position. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks quality fruit picking tools from leading brands including Gardena and Wolf Garten, with both tree-picking heads featuring cage-and-comb designs and ground-level collectors for gathering fallen fruit.

Most fruit pickers in our range feature modular designs compatible with interchangeable handle systems such as Gardena COMBISYSTEM and Wolf Garten Multi-Change. This approach allows you to attach different picker heads to various length extension poles, providing customisable reach for different tree heights whilst offering excellent value across your garden tool collection. Whether you need adjustable fruit picker heads for tree harvesting, specialised berry pickers for delicate soft fruits, or ground collectors for efficient windfall gathering, MyToolShed.co.uk provides practical solutions that protect your produce from bruising and damage.

Applications

• Hobby Gardeners: Domestic fruit growers maintaining apple, pear and cherry trees in residential gardens
• Allotment Holders: Community gardeners managing productive fruit trees and bushes on rented plots
• Small-Scale Fruit Growers: Smallholders maintaining modest orchards or soft fruit beds
• Groundskeepers: Professional gardeners responsible for fruit trees in parks, estates and public gardens
• Market Gardeners: Commercial growers producing fruit for local markets and farm shops
• Elderly Gardeners: Mature fruit growers seeking to reduce physical strain whilst maintaining independence
• Landscapers: Professional garden maintenance contractors providing seasonal harvest services
• Community Garden Volunteers: Groups managing shared growing spaces and community orchards

Choosing The Right Fruit Pickers

Type of Harvesting: Determine whether you primarily need to pick fruit from trees or collect windfall from the ground. Tree pickers feature cage-and-comb designs with trigger mechanisms, whilst ground collectors use rolling wire cages. Consider a multi-change system if you have both requirements.

Handle Compatibility: Check whether you're purchasing a complete tool or just a picker head. Gardena COMBISYSTEM and Wolf Garten Multi-Change heads require compatible handles purchased separately. Consider the maximum reach needed for your tallest trees when selecting handle lengths.

Fruit Size and Type: Standard fruit pickers accommodate apples, pears and similar firm fruits approximately 50-100mm in diameter. Berry pickers feature finer tines for delicate soft fruits like raspberries and blackberries. Ensure the cage spacing matches your primary crop.

Build Quality: Look for robust construction with weather-resistant materials, particularly galvanised or plastic-coated wires that won't rust. Quality brands offer reliable long-term performance essential for tools that endure considerable force and outdoor exposure.

User Comfort: Consider the assembled tool's weight, particularly for overhead work. Ergonomic handle grips reduce hand fatigue, whilst well-balanced designs minimise shoulder strain. Adjustable length handles accommodate multiple users of different heights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same handle for different fruit picker heads?

Yes, if you choose a modular system like Wolf Garten Multi-Change or Gardena COMBISYSTEM. These systems allow different picker heads to attach to the same compatible handles, offering excellent versatility and value. Just ensure you're purchasing heads and handles from the same system, as different manufacturers' products aren't interchangeable.

What's the maximum height I can reach with a fruit picker?

This depends on your chosen handle length plus your own height and arm reach. Most extension handles range from 1.5m to 4m. A 3-metre handle used by someone 1.7m tall can typically access fruit at approximately 5.5-6 metres height.

Will a fruit picker damage my produce?

Quality fruit pickers are specifically designed to harvest produce gently when used correctly. The cage-and-comb design cradles fruit as it's released from the branch, whilst the collection bag prevents it from falling. Damage is considerably less than fruit falling to the ground or being roughly handled during ladder picking.