I am a customer of pyo orchards, not a grower. But I've picked at a lot of places, some allow climbing, some allow (and provide) ladders, and some that provide picking poles - just a long pole with a sack at the end.
Climbing is wonderful for children, but in addition to the liability issues it's bad for your trees. (It pains me to say that, as I've called around specifically to find places that allow it, but it's true.) Ladders are a bit of a nuisance to carry around, and it ends up feeling more like work. I suggest you provide poles, which work pretty well, are easy to carry, and probably won't increase your liability much (if at all). Oh, and I work in insurance. 'falling from height' claims can be very expensive, because they can involve serious but non-fatal head and spinal cord injuries. That can cost more than a fatality. ___ Ginda ....... Original Message ....... On Sun, 6 Jul 2008 01:59:48 -0400 "Tommy and Sandy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >We are allowing people to pick their own apples for the last couple of years. We didn't start out as a pick your own orchard and we have larger trees, 111, 7, and some larger 26's. >In the past we have not allowed ladders or climbing trees. I was wondering if any other pick your own orchards allowed ladders either supplying them to people or allowing them to bring their own. Also if ladders are allowed how much more insurance do you have to carry. Has anyone had any bad claims because of ladders. >Thanks for responding. > >Tommy Bruguiere >Dickie Bros. Orchard >Roseland, Va -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content.
