Tool handles are usually quarter sawn or rift sawn.
Material "in the round" doesn't make great tool handles.
Logs shrink radially causing checking and cracking. This is why logs are sawn before being dryed. Sawing relieves (most of) the internal stress on the material. Logs that can't be immediately sawn should have the ends sealed. Sometimes wax is used for this.
I don't know anything about the wood of apricot trees.
Tool handles are made from Hickory and Ash.
You could try it. Just no guarentees.

Take a big piece and quarter it. Use one of the 4 pieces for a tool handle. This would produce the best handle possible from the material.

Pooh Bear

Aloha Icyboy,

I dunno about apricot branches, but I made an axe handle once from an ohia branch and it turned out really really pretty. Lasted about four hits, though, before it broke.

I think it would depend on what sort of tool handle you were making as to if it would work well or not.

Just my opinion,
A hui hou,
Cathy