When to Harvest Pear and Apple Trees

I planted several apple and pear trees five or six years ago.  They are finally producing fruit.  How do I know when to harvest?

Pick apples when the indentation at the stem end turns from green to yellow.  Ripe fruit will easily pull off the branch without breaking the stem.  Harvest pears before they start falling from the tree.  Remove the fruit when they turn from a dark green to yellowish green.  The spots on the skins (lenticels) should turn from white to brown. Remove both apples and pears by holding the fruit in the palm of your hand, twist, lift and pull.

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