My dad was a carpenter (independent usually), and he took me on jobs starting when I was 11. He did a little of everything from finish/cabinets, doors, windows, weatherstriping, laying carpets, hardwood floors.

The largest job we ever tackled together was a sort of greenhouse that my dad designed (with netting instead of glass) for a lady to grow her orchids in. We also built a small boat (of his own design, again) from scrap lumber scavenged from his then job of putting up tract homes in Santa Maria, CA. The boat (as you might have guessed) did not survive its second outing. It was made largely of pine 2x4s, plywood, nails and white glue, and with a thick coating of some waterproofing goop, that he found.

Anyhow, I'm here to tell you, harvesting apples is a lot harder.