Pruning is an important part of gardening, and to do it right you need the proper tools and know a few basic techniques.
Tools of the TradeFor almost every kind of pruning that you’ll do in your garden, you need but three tools: - Hand pruning shears for small branches (less than ¾ inches in diameter). Get yourself a bypass (scissors) type.
- Lopping shears for branches greater than ¾ inches and up to 1½ inches in diameter. The long handles allow you to reach an additional 1-2 feet into a tree. (Small shock-absorbing handle “bumpers” on the higher-quality products do make a difference.)
- A pruning saw for limbs greater than 1½ inches in diameter. These come in many sizes, with either straight or curved blades and teeth that are either fine or coarse. Use a saw with fine teeth for cutting limbs up to 2 ½ inches, and one with coarse teeth for larger limbs.
But when your plants require a little more pruning finesse – whether it’s to create a more formal look to your plants or for trimming special plantings like topiary – consider using these tools in addition to the basics:
Hedge pruning shears for formal hedge pruning and topiary. These also are useful for quickly giving a light “haircut” to fast-growing or heavy-blooming plants. A pole pruner for removing tree limbs less than 2 inches in diameter that are out of the reach of lopping shears. Extendable pieces allow for an additional 15 feet or so, and saw attachments manage branches that are more than 2 inches thick. A pruning knife for cleaning up large cuts or for trimming away the frayed bark occasionally left by pruning shears and saws. A keyhole saw for tight spots. This tool is particularly useful on older, heavily branched roses.
|