Pruning is easier and quicker when you use the right tools. The right tool not only saves you time and energy, but it also helps ensure that your plants remain free from damage. Two commonly used gardening tools for pruning are hand pruners and loppers. How do you know which one to use?
The width of the branches you plan to trim will determine whether you should use hand pruners or loppers. Using the wrong one can result in damage to both the tool and the plant.
• Pruners are one-handed tools used for smaller branches and stems around half an inch or less in width.
• Loppers are two-handed tools that are used for medium-size branches and stems that are too big for hand pruners but are thinner than 1.5 to 2 inches. (For thicker wood, use a pruning saw.)
In addition to selecting the right type of pruning tool, it is important to know whether to use a pair of anvil pruners or loppers or bypass pruners or loppers.
• Bypass pruners or loppers are the most common; these blades are best for cutting through live material. The upper blade passes the lower in a scissors-like motion, creating a clean slice. Make sure to keep the blades razor-sharp.
• Anvil pruners or loppers have a straight blade that slices to—rather than past—a lower, immobile base—making contact to the base once the branch/stem has been cut, basically smashing it. This blade isn’t as clean or precise as the bypass and should not be used on live wood.
Loppers image credit: MarkusHagenlocher - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
