Yes sun brings out the color in fruit in my experience. I would pick the second I see a few drop and when you cut a few open and the seeds are dark brown. Some drop due to bug damage etc. so the seed color is a sure way to know. Also when you pull on an apple if it's ripe it should come right off in your hand with minimal effort. They will ripen up inside. Sooty blotch will scrub off if that's what's on them. The ultimate test for ripeness for me is when I eat one because an unripe apple has minimal sugar levels.

Yeah, dropping is what I initially go by. I suppose there are caveats to this with some varieties. Some late apple varieties are so well attached they will hang on the tree into winter and rot on the tree if you let them. You have to learn the traits of your specific varieties, especially if they are unusual.

I go by picking and eating. But I would say in MO, GD should be ripe.

Thanks, guys. I picked all the low hanging fruit today, the ones the deer could reach without working at it. I'll pick the rest tomorrow. Picked one humongous apple. Biggest GD I've ever seen. They are definitely ready even if they are still green. Just needed some reassurance.

Chuck