How to Choose the Right Pruning Tools

Understanding why, how, and when to prune is only half of the equation. Pruning cuts on trees and shrubs will be cleaner and more precise if you have the right tools for the job. Here’s a list of handy pruning tool to get the job done right.

Tools For Maintaining Fruit Trees and Berries

Hand Pruners: Hand-held pruners are what gardeners end up using most often in the yard and garden. In fact, there’s much to be said for having more than one pair around the garden or tool shed. You’ll find three types of hand-pruners: anvil, bypass, and rachet.

• Bypass pruners have curved upper and lower blades. Because the blades pass by each other as the cut is made, bypass pruners produce clean cuts. Springs reopen blades automatically. The bypass type is often the hand pruner that gardeners start out using. They’re made for pruning branches up to about 1/2″ in diameter.

• Anvil pruners have a sharp top blade that presses against a flat, dull surface when the handles are squeezed. Anvil pruners are fine for smaller branches, but they can crush stems if you’re not careful. Branch collars are also often damaged by anvil pruners. While they’re useful, anvil types can’t squeeze into tighter areas between branches and branch crotches like bypass pruners can. Like the bypass type, anvil pruners are also for branches that are less than about 1/2″ in diameter.

• Ratchet pruners are made like anvil pruners, but they have a mechanism that makes the cut in stages. Without any more effort from the gardener, the leverage is increased by the ratchet pruner’s movement. They’re actually extremely handy to have around especially if you’re doing a large amount of pruning in a short amount of time. Ratchet pruners are the hand and muscle savers of the garden tool world.

Loppers: Loppers look just like anvil or bypass pruning shears but they’re heftier and have long handles. They require the use of both hands, but can handle all but the thickest branches. Loppers can range from a fairly light version to those that are industrial-sized and can take on branches that are 1 1/2″ in diameter. Which one you purchase will depend upon the size of the branches that you’re pruning. The rule of thumb is to only cut those branches that can fit deep into the jaws of the lopper. This will prevent broken blade mechanisms and handles. Loppers are excellent for reaching hard-to-reach tree branches.

Saws: Saws are necessary when you’re dealing with a branch that’s too thick for loppers to handle. Saws can have wood, plastic, and cushy handles. Hold each type in your hand and see how they feel, because if it isn’t comfortable now, it certainly won’t be comfortable while you’re using them. Saws can have fixed (permanent) blades, replicable blades and folding blades. There’s no right answer here, your choice will be based on your personal preference. There are three types of saws: pull saws, bow saws and pole trimmers.

• Pull saws are made to cut on the pull motion. The arm stroke you make when you push the saw forward does nothing but set the blade into place. It’s when your arm pulls back that the cut is made. Easy to use for overhead cuts and good for tight places, too.

• Bow saws have a blade that’s attached to a metal bow. This type of saw works fairly well for tight places but can be depth-limited if you’re using a pointed bow saw instead of a D-shaped bow saw. These blades cut both on the push and the pull and will easily remove branches up to 3″ in diameter.

Pole Trimmers: are extremely useful for those branches that are out of reach without a ladder. Of course, you have to consider that balancing the saw and cutting the right branch can be awkward. Still, they’re nice to have around for those occasions where nothing else will do.

Hedge Shears or Clippers: This tool comes in handy for dense plants that have small leaves and thin branches such as shrubs that are used as hedges. Shears can be either manual hedge shears or electric hedge shears — both have their advantages.

• Hand shears are useful for flat or light trimming on shrubs. They also offer precise control for creating the curves on topiary shapes. However, it takes some practice to become skilled at using them for shaping. To keep the plane smooth, you have to keep your eyes on the shrub while chopping with the blades.

• Electric shears allow you to trim a simple-shaped hedge smooth with minimal effort.

While you’re out shopping for pruning tools, remember to purchase the highest quality that you can afford. Great tools can last a lifetime if they’re both well made and cared for properly.

For more on pruning check out 10 Reasons Why You Should Prune Fruit Trees