There are a number of different tools that you will need if you are going to complete the job of pruning. Twigs, stems and branches may all need to be cut, trimmed or lopped in a task that will continue all year round. Equipping yourself with a good set of hand pruners, tree saws, hedge shears and loppers will ensure that the job will be able to be done quickly and efficiently and with as little damage to the plants as possible.
In order to cut the smallest live branches you will need a pair of pruning shears, also known as hand pruners. These pruners are designed to cut small branches up to around ½ an inch in diameter. Apart from the different sizes in which they are available in, there are two main types of hand pruners: bypass hand pruners and anvil hand pruners.
Bypass pruners act like a pair of scissors and they have curved blades that perform precision cuts while inflicting a minimum of damage on the plant foliage left behind. Anvil pruners consist of a straight blade that closes on a blunt blade and these pruners are used for cutting old, woody twigs. It is recommended that you don’t use the anvil pruner on living plant stems.
When pruning has to be performed on branches that are high and out of reach the extension pruner should be used. This is a hand pruner that has been mounted on the end of a telescoping pole. The cutting blades are operated by pulling on a cord that is connected to the blades.
For the cutting of larger branches up to around an inch in diameter you should use a pair of loppers. Loppers are also available as bypass or anvil type cutters. There is a good chance that when using loppers there is going to be some damage caused to the bark of the tree.
A pruning saw provides you with a pruning solution for the larger branches that is less traumatic for the tree. A sharp pruning saw makes short work of small branches and causes less damage to the surrounding bark, leaving behind a clean wound.
The aim of pruning is to shape your plants and remove damaged or diseased foliage without causing further trauma to the plant. Equipping yourself with the right tools will ensure the job is done right.
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