A leaf remover machine for removing leaves from tree crops, of the type comprising an operating head (2) provided with leaf removal means and a sensor device (7) for detecting the presence of the vegetation (21) and protecting the fruit (22) from contact with the above-mentioned leaf removal means. The machine of the invention, due to the protective screen and thrust sensor provided on the same, allows a thrust action to be exerted on the fruit, moving it away from the leaf remover head, which is sufficient to keep the fruit away from the cutting members during their transit, thus avoiding damage. A further advantage is represented by the fact that the same protective screen and sensor can also act as a means for controlling the speed of the cutting head movements towards and away from the canopy, according to the extent of the variance of the vegetation profile with respect to the row line.
