Orchard Laborer

Bear Mountain Orchards Inc; Aspers (PA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Bear Mountain Orchards Inc is seeking full-time seasonal workers for tree pruning and thinning jobs. From March to November, responsibilities include understanding pruning concepts, safely using ladders, and handling fruit. Ideal candidates must be physically capable and have a minimum of 3 months experience in tree fruit work.

Qualifications

• 3 months experience in pruning, thinning, and hand harvesting tree fruit.
• Physical ability to lift 80 lbs.
• Understanding of thinning principles.

Responsibilities

• Prune and thin apple, peach, and nectarine trees.
• Use hand tools from ladders up to 14 ft tall.
• Manage growth of trees and maintain safety.

Skills

Knowledge of basic pruning concepts

Ability to work at heights

Judgment in thinning fruit

Tools

Hand saws

Pruning hooks

Shears

Clippers

Job description

40 Full Time Seasonal H-2A Jobs available 3/1/2025 - 11/30/2025.

Workers will prune trees to remove branches from apple, peach, and nectarine trees. Pruning occurs when trees are dormant before fruit appears, typically from February through April. Workers must be physically able to

prune trees, most of which is done from ladders, with lower branches being pruned from the ground. When necessary, workers are required to prune using hand tools while balanced on ladders up to 14 ft. in length and

weighing 25 to 40 pounds. Workers must be able to place ladder firmly against or within trees in a secure position so as not to break limbs, maintain balance while working at heights and to prevent slipping or falling.

Workers must be knowledgeable about basic pruning concepts, including limb selection, different pruning cuts and when each is appropriate to use, ideal branch angles for training trees in order to improve sunlight

distribution and influence crop yield while avoiding severe pruning. Workers use hand saws, pruning hooks, shears, and clippers to prune and manage growth of trees and remove dead branches, foster healing and impede

decay by applying healing compound to pruning wounds.

Workers will properly thin apple, peach, and nectarine trees. Fruit trees are thinned between May and July depending on crop/variety. Workers must be physically able to thin trees, most of which is done from ladders, with

lower branches being thinned from the ground. When necessary, workers are required to handle fruit and thin using hand tools while balanced on ladders up to 14 ft. in length and weighing 25 to 40 pounds. Workers must

be able to place ladder firmly against or within trees in a secure position so as not to break limbs, maintain balance while working at heights and to prevent slipping or falling. Workers must understand the basic principles of

thinning and damaging effects of using improper techniques, removes injured, damaged, or small fruit to maximize quality yield. Must be proficient in judging the optimal number of fruit that can be carried based on the size of

the limb, preventing over-thinning, and breaking up clusters of fruit. Work also may involve inserting/removing tree spreaders, removing invasive vegetation around trees, and placement of rodent baits.

Requirements

• 3 month experience in pruning, thinning, and hand harvesting tree fruit
• Lifting requirement 80 lbs.
• Exposure to extreme temperatures
• Extensive pushing or pulling, sitting or walking
• Frequent stooping or bending over
• Repetitive movements
  
  

The full terms and conditions of the job (form ETA790a) should be reviewed and provided to qualified applicants from this website: seasonaljobs.dol.gov