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Winter days find many of us under bushes and up in trees, pruning. The task flies along more easily with proper tools. What’s needed?
A hand pruner is the most necessary tool. It is used for small branches up to 1/2” or 3/4” in diameter. There are two basic designs, by-pass and anvil. By-pass pruners use a curved cutting blade that slides past a broader lower blade. These make clean, slicing cuts right up to the branch collar without leaving a stub.
Anvil pruners have a straight blade that cuts by pressing the branch against a flat surface or anvil. The width of the anvil means a short stub will remain. This cutting action is also more likely crush plant tissues possibly increasing avenues for disease to enter. However, anvil pruners can cut slightly larger branches and are useful for removing dead wood. A variation of the anvil design is the ratchet pruner that can increase the cutting force by as much as 30%. These can be helpful for people with weaker hands, or if you anticipate a long session of pruning.
If a branch can’t be cleanly cut with a single cutting action, use a larger tool (or the rachet pruner.) Otherwise you risk damaging both the tool and the plant. Even with the additional power, cutting too large a branch can also damage a ratchet pruner. The density of the wood you are cutting makes a big difference. Last week while pruning a hydrangea I could easily cut 3/4” branches with my hand pruner. The wood on the spirea next to it was so much harder that I moved up to a lopper starting with 1/2” branches.
Loppers have the same design types as hand pruners, by-pass, anvil and ratchet, with the advantage of greater leverage as well as extended reach. The handles vary from 16” up to 36” long. Keep in mind that longer loppers are heavier and can be unwieldy. Most will cut branches up to 1-1/2” in diameter. Quality loppers have a bumper or shock absorber just below the pivot point to reduce fatigue caused by jarring when the blades come together. Look for this feature in hedge shears.
Small folding saws can be used for branches up to 2” in diameter. It won’t extend your reach but will fitting in your back pocket. They are amazingly fast. A few satisfying strokes remove a good size branch. Pruning saws cut on the pull stroke rather than the push stoke familiar from the hand carpenter’s saw.
Pruners and shears should be periodically sharpened as recommended by the manufacturer. Replacement blades are available for higher-end tools. Pruning saws could be professionally sharpened but it may be more sensible to replace the tool or, if available, just the blade when it no longer cuts well. Quality tools that are cleaned then oiled with machine or penetrating oil after each use will last decades.
If you need to purchase new hand tools select those that feel comfortable your hand. Be sure they open and close smoothly. Brightly colored handles that stand out if dropped are a plus. If you are left handed you will need a left-handed pruner.
If you use a stepladder be sure it’s sturdy and placed on firm level ground.
Even experienced gardeners can feel unsure of themselves when pruning. Consult a good reference book like the American Horticultural Society’s Pruning & Training. A fully Illustrated Plant by Plant Manual by Brickell and Joyce. It specifically covers when, where and how to prune or train more than 800 plants. PlantAnmesty has online pruning information for a variety of landscape plants or call your local WSU Extension office for a list of publications.
Washington State University WSU Extension has some fine publications: EB1619 Pruning Landscape Trees, and PNW 400 Training & Pruning Your Home Orchard. Order by calling the WSU Bulletin office 1-800-723-7163 or online.
If you have doubts about your ability to prune large trees, consult a qualified professional. Certified arborists have specialized training in tree care and tree problem diagnosis. They are qualified to become members of professional organizations. Look for the initials "ISA" for International Society of Arboriculture or "NAA" for National Arborist Association in advertisements and on business cards. You can contact the PNW International Society of Arborculture at 1-800-335-4391 for a list of certified arborists in your area. PlantAmnesty also has a referral service for arborists and other landscape professionals, leave a message at 206-783-9813.
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