These new, tender, green tea leaves will be ready to harvest within a few days. These are the ones that are picked, not the older, darker leaves. The older leaves are there only to support the growth of new leaves, which growth is stimulated by the trimming back of the tea bush, similar to what you'd do with an ornamental hedge. (Some lesser quality teas use the older, more mature leaves, which produces a cheaper tea, with a more bitter flavor.)
These new, tender, green tea leaves will be ready to harvest within a few days. These are the ones that are picked, not the older, darker leaves. The older leaves are there only to support the growth of new leaves, which growth is stimulated by the trimming back of the tea bush, similar to what you'd do with an ornamental hedge. (Some lesser quality teas use the older, more mature leaves, which produces a cheaper tea, with a more bitter flavor.)