A few growers harvest their fruit mechanically, using tree shakers and catching frames. The use
of mechanical harvesting is likely to increase in the future. Olives are harvested for pickling in
California from mid September to mid November, depending on cultivar, local conditions, and
needs of the canneries. Optimum harvesting time is determined by the color and texture of the
olive. Overmature or badly bruised fruit frequently spoils during processing. To get the best
return, fruit should be delivered to the cannery as soon as possible after harvest