Frequently Asked Questions for Tree Stewards
How much fruit will CFR harvest?
We typically harvest trees with at least 40 pounds of fruit to ensure a meaningful experience for our volunteers. We do make exceptions for smaller fruits like grapes and chokecherries, where even lower volumes can be valuable.
If you have less than 40 pounds of fruit you'd like to harvest, you're welcome to rent one of our DIY Harvest Kits and gather the fruit yourself on your own schedule.
We typically harvest trees with at least 40 pounds of fruit to ensure a meaningful experience for our volunteers. We do make exceptions for smaller fruits like grapes and chokecherries, where even lower volumes can be valuable.
If you have less than 40 pounds of fruit you'd like to harvest, you're welcome to rent one of our DIY Harvest Kits and gather the fruit yourself on your own schedule.
Will all of the fruit be picked from my tree(s)?
Our volunteers will pick as much as they can safely reach, but some may be left behind due to height, ripeness, or access limitations. Our goal is to harvest as much as we possibly can!
Our volunteers will pick as much as they can safely reach, but some may be left behind due to height, ripeness, or access limitations. Our goal is to harvest as much as we possibly can!
What types of fruit will you harvest?
We harvest apples, pears, grapes, and stone fruits (plums, peaches, cherries, apricots), and chokecherries.
We do not harvest crab apples (malus coronaria) and other non-edible fruits.
We harvest apples, pears, grapes, and stone fruits (plums, peaches, cherries, apricots), and chokecherries.
We do not harvest crab apples (malus coronaria) and other non-edible fruits.
What happens to the fruit?
Tree stewards register their fruit trees to be harvested and can keep up to 1/4 of the bounty. The volunteer pickers who sign up to harvest those trees can take a combined 1/4 of the fruit home with them, and the remaining 1/2 is donated to food insecure individuals and families throughout Boulder County.
Fruit that is deemed “animal-grade” is donated to local animal sanctuaries or farms. All other rotten or inedible fruit is either set in the tree stewards’ curbside compost bin, or set aside for disposal.
Tree stewards register their fruit trees to be harvested and can keep up to 1/4 of the bounty. The volunteer pickers who sign up to harvest those trees can take a combined 1/4 of the fruit home with them, and the remaining 1/2 is donated to food insecure individuals and families throughout Boulder County.
Fruit that is deemed “animal-grade” is donated to local animal sanctuaries or farms. All other rotten or inedible fruit is either set in the tree stewards’ curbside compost bin, or set aside for disposal.
How do I register my site and request a harvest?
The first step to having your fruit harvested is to register your site and request a harvest.
Please take the time to read all the information listed on these pages. Once CFR receives your harvest request forms, someone from our team will follow up to discuss next steps.
The first step to having your fruit harvested is to register your site and request a harvest.
- If you live in Boulder and have not had your tree(s) harvested with us before, please fill out this form here.
- If you live in Boulder and have had your tree(s) harvested with us before, please fill out this form here.
- If you live in Erie and have not had your tree(s) harvested with us before, please fill out this form here.
Please take the time to read all the information listed on these pages. Once CFR receives your harvest request forms, someone from our team will follow up to discuss next steps.
Why do you ask for a donation to guarantee my harvest on the CFR schedule?
Community Fruit Rescue typically receives more harvest requests than we can fulfill each season. To help support our small nonprofit and make the most of our limited capacity, we prioritize harvests for those able to make a donation of $100 or more (amount may vary depending on the number and size of trees).
That said, we never want cost to be a barrier. If you're not in a position to contribute financially, please let us know when you submit your harvest request form. We have a fund specifically to support those unable to donate, and you may still be eligible for a guaranteed harvest.
Did you know? It costs Community Fruit Rescue roughly $350 to conduct each individual harvest. Each donation helps us cover our harvest expenses and expand our work!
Community Fruit Rescue typically receives more harvest requests than we can fulfill each season. To help support our small nonprofit and make the most of our limited capacity, we prioritize harvests for those able to make a donation of $100 or more (amount may vary depending on the number and size of trees).
That said, we never want cost to be a barrier. If you're not in a position to contribute financially, please let us know when you submit your harvest request form. We have a fund specifically to support those unable to donate, and you may still be eligible for a guaranteed harvest.
Did you know? It costs Community Fruit Rescue roughly $350 to conduct each individual harvest. Each donation helps us cover our harvest expenses and expand our work!
When will my harvest be scheduled?
If you requested a harvest with us, please note that we work hard to schedule harvests at least one week in advance of your requested harvest week. If you made a donation for a guaranteed harvest, rest assured you'll be placed on the schedule once a harvest leader is assigned. We'll be in touch as soon as your harvest is confirmed.
If you requested a harvest with us, please note that we work hard to schedule harvests at least one week in advance of your requested harvest week. If you made a donation for a guaranteed harvest, rest assured you'll be placed on the schedule once a harvest leader is assigned. We'll be in touch as soon as your harvest is confirmed.
Can I reschedule my harvest for an earlier or later date than I originally requested?
We ask Tree Stewards to select the most accurate week for their harvest when submitting requests, since this helps us plan ahead and organize volunteers. That said, we know that fruit trees and weather don’t always follow our timelines!
If you need to reschedule your harvest, our team will do our best to accommodate the change. Please understand that adjustments depend on the availability of our small staff, volunteer teams, and other harvests already on the calendar—so while we’ll try, we cannot always guarantee a new harvest slot.
We ask Tree Stewards to select the most accurate week for their harvest when submitting requests, since this helps us plan ahead and organize volunteers. That said, we know that fruit trees and weather don’t always follow our timelines!
If you need to reschedule your harvest, our team will do our best to accommodate the change. Please understand that adjustments depend on the availability of our small staff, volunteer teams, and other harvests already on the calendar—so while we’ll try, we cannot always guarantee a new harvest slot.
Why do you ask Tress Stewards to clean up fallen fruit before a CFR harvest?
We ask this to help create a safe and productive harvest environment. Fallen fruit can be a tripping hazard, especially for volunteers of all ages and abilities, and can also attract hornets, wasps, and other pests that pose a safety risk.
Our volunteers are there to rescue fresh fruit directly from the tree—not to serve as a cleanup crew. We aim to harvest and distribute high-quality fruit to people and animals in need, and with only two hours per harvest, we want to ensure that time is spent collecting usable fruit. Any fruit already on the ground before our arrival should be composted/disposed of and cannot be mixed in with what we pick for donation or distribution.
Cleaning up also benefits your trees: fruit left on the ground can harbor pests like codling moths (their larva are the worms you may find in your apples!), and in some cases may attract wildlife such as raccoons or even bears. By clearing fallen fruit ahead of time, you’re helping us keep volunteers safe, protect your tree’s health, and support a smooth and successful harvest.
We ask this to help create a safe and productive harvest environment. Fallen fruit can be a tripping hazard, especially for volunteers of all ages and abilities, and can also attract hornets, wasps, and other pests that pose a safety risk.
Our volunteers are there to rescue fresh fruit directly from the tree—not to serve as a cleanup crew. We aim to harvest and distribute high-quality fruit to people and animals in need, and with only two hours per harvest, we want to ensure that time is spent collecting usable fruit. Any fruit already on the ground before our arrival should be composted/disposed of and cannot be mixed in with what we pick for donation or distribution.
Cleaning up also benefits your trees: fruit left on the ground can harbor pests like codling moths (their larva are the worms you may find in your apples!), and in some cases may attract wildlife such as raccoons or even bears. By clearing fallen fruit ahead of time, you’re helping us keep volunteers safe, protect your tree’s health, and support a smooth and successful harvest.
Why is it important to harvest fruit before it attracts black bears?
Our colleagues at the City of Boulder and Colorado Parks & Wildlife have identified unharvested fruit as the 2nd most common bear attractant in urban areas, following unsecured trash. When bears find easy access to food like apples, plums, or pears, they’re more likely to return and spend time near homes, schools, and roads—putting both bears and people at risk.
By harvesting fruit promptly, you help reduce wildlife conflicts, discourage repeat visits, and support safer coexistence between humans and local black bears. Community Fruit Rescue’s work helps remove this attractant and redirect it to people and animals who need it—keeping fruit out of landfills, and bears out of neighborhoods. Studies have shown that bears who spend more time in urban areas have higher mortality rates for a number of reasons. Learn more about our work to safeguard local black bears here.
Our colleagues at the City of Boulder and Colorado Parks & Wildlife have identified unharvested fruit as the 2nd most common bear attractant in urban areas, following unsecured trash. When bears find easy access to food like apples, plums, or pears, they’re more likely to return and spend time near homes, schools, and roads—putting both bears and people at risk.
By harvesting fruit promptly, you help reduce wildlife conflicts, discourage repeat visits, and support safer coexistence between humans and local black bears. Community Fruit Rescue’s work helps remove this attractant and redirect it to people and animals who need it—keeping fruit out of landfills, and bears out of neighborhoods. Studies have shown that bears who spend more time in urban areas have higher mortality rates for a number of reasons. Learn more about our work to safeguard local black bears here.
How many volunteers will come to my harvest?
We aim to get as much information about your trees as we can ahead of your harvest and send volunteers to each site with these things in mind: the number of trees, size of your trees, type of fruit, the fullness and ripeness of the tree(s), what your property looks like and how big the harvest area is, etc.
All this information helps inform our team so we can schedule a successful harvest for all involved. On average, we send 3 to 5 volunteers to each harvest, and more (or less) as needed.
We aim to get as much information about your trees as we can ahead of your harvest and send volunteers to each site with these things in mind: the number of trees, size of your trees, type of fruit, the fullness and ripeness of the tree(s), what your property looks like and how big the harvest area is, etc.
All this information helps inform our team so we can schedule a successful harvest for all involved. On average, we send 3 to 5 volunteers to each harvest, and more (or less) as needed.
What if I don't have a compost bin?
Having a backyard composter or curbside compost service is not required. However, Community Fruit Rescue is unable to transport compost-grade fruit, so any fallen or unusable fruit will be gathered into a trash bag or pile and left at the harvest site.
If you have a preferred spot or method for composting this fruit, just let us know in advance—we’re happy to accommodate when we can!
Having a backyard composter or curbside compost service is not required. However, Community Fruit Rescue is unable to transport compost-grade fruit, so any fallen or unusable fruit will be gathered into a trash bag or pile and left at the harvest site.
If you have a preferred spot or method for composting this fruit, just let us know in advance—we’re happy to accommodate when we can!
Does CFR provide all the equipment for harvests?
Yes! CFR provides all necessary equipment such as extendable fruit picker poles, crates, buckets, harvest aprons, tarps, ladders, etc.
We will ask you to set out your compost bin in advance of the harvest as well as an extra ladder, if you have these available.
Yes! CFR provides all necessary equipment such as extendable fruit picker poles, crates, buckets, harvest aprons, tarps, ladders, etc.
We will ask you to set out your compost bin in advance of the harvest as well as an extra ladder, if you have these available.
Are Tree Stewards protected from any liability?
Yes, all of our volunteers are required to sign release waivers that protect Tree Stewards from any liability. You can read more about this here.
Yes, all of our volunteers are required to sign release waivers that protect Tree Stewards from any liability. You can read more about this here.
I have already picked my own fruit. Is there anywhere I can bring it?
Yes! You can donate your human grade fruit directly to one of our recipient sites. These include (but are not limited to):
Yes! You can donate your human grade fruit directly to one of our recipient sites. These include (but are not limited to):
Do I need to be home while the harvest takes place?
While we always welcome Tree Stewards to participate in each harvest, it is not necessary for you to be at home as long as CFR volunteers are able to access your fruit trees during the scheduled harvest time.
While we always welcome Tree Stewards to participate in each harvest, it is not necessary for you to be at home as long as CFR volunteers are able to access your fruit trees during the scheduled harvest time.
Who should I contact if I have any questions concerning my upcoming harvest?
Please reach out to our Harvest & Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] if you have any questions concerning your harvest.
Please reach out to our Harvest & Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] if you have any questions concerning your harvest.