Abstract: Apparatus and process is provided in which a blast of air is directed into the tree to be harvested from the circumference of a circle which is apposed to the foliage expanse of the tree and is caused to move about the circumference of the circle as a rotating unit which rotates about the center of the circle. A plurality of nozzles may be arranged around the circumference of the circle and the blast shifted from one nozzle to the adjacent nozzle in succession alternatively. A nozzle delivering a continuous blast of air is mounted to rotate about the circumference of the circle. The rotating units are mounted on a mobile base so that they can be drawn horizontally along a row of trees.

Abstract: Apparatus and process is provided in which a blast of air is impinged on a fruit-bearing limb grouping to cause it to bend, preferably downwardly, and thereafter cause a second blast of air to impinge on the bent-limb grouping in the opposite direction. Advantageously, the two blasts of air move in unison laterally along and around the tree with the first blast being ahead of the second blast and with the spacing between the two blasts being correlated with the rate of transverse movement so that, as soon as the first blast of air passes the limb grouping which is bent down, the second blast of air impinges on said grouping from beneath, in a manner to reinforce the natural rebound of the limb, whereby the normal whiplash effect which takes place on the rebound of the limb grouping is enhanced. In one form of the invention, the means for directing the blasts is stationary except for the transverse movement.