KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) — Apple growers are expecting a bumper crop this year as workers begin harvesting the fruit from trees around Washington.

Hail in July tempered initial expectations for a record-setting 120 million bushels of fresh apples. But the head of the Washington Apple Commission, Todd Fryhover, says this year's crop of fresh apples is still expected to be the state's second largest.

The Tri-City Herald reports the apple harvest is expected to be nearly 109 million bushels. It takes about 43 pounds to make a bushel.

Apple harvest runs into November, with different varieties being picked as harvest continues.

Washington is the top apple grower in the nation, representing about 60 percent of U.S. fresh apples.

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