|
GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
Tools
Pruning
Tools
Using
the right tool for a cutting job permits you to work more
quickly and with less effort. The first tool I recommend is
the hand pruner. It is preferred for cutting woody branches
up to 1” in diameter. You will find both anvil and bypass
types.
 Anvil
pruners have a cutting blade that pushes against a flat anvil.
Their advantage is less adjusting of the blade. Some brands,
such as Florian, come in a ratchet style that allows you torest
your hand in the middle of a stroke. The disadvantage of the
anvil pruner is that it smashes through the end of the cut.
This is a less desirable finish and the stub causes some trees
to send off a new stem.
 Bypass
pruners have a cutting blade that slides next to a hooked
anvil in a scissors motion. It leaves a cleaner and closer
cut. The cutting blade is easily sharpened; some manufacturers,
such as Felco, have readily available replacement blades.
 Pole
pruners also come in both anvil and bypass styles; some are
also available with a pruning saw attachment, which is essential
for pruning larger branches. The lightweight ARS pole pruner
comes with a handle that moves the cutting blade. Other styles,
such as the heavy duty Corona, have a pull rope to move the
blade.
The
lopper is used to cut up to a 2” stem. This is a two-handed
tool, allowing you to apply greater force. Fiskars ergonomic
geared lopper provides you with even more power for cutting
those hard woods in your garden. The pruning saw allows you
to cut through branches too large even for your loppers. It
is designed to cut on the pull, unlike carpenter’s saws,
which cut on the push. For branches at eye level I prefer
the fine toothed saw; it leaves a smoother looking finish
to the cut.
 A
folding saw such as Barnel or the popular Felco 60 is a great
convenience because you can carry it safely in your pocket
or pouch.
For
additional information about special purpose cutting tools
(grass shears, snippers for soft-stemmed plants, hedge clippers,
chain saws, etc.) and about pruning techniques I recommend
Ortho’s All About Pruning. Or contact the nonprofit pruning
education group Plant Amnesty (206)-783-9813, or come to one
of our free pruning classes this spring at Sky Nursery.
By Erich Nordstrom
Skylights Spring, Vol 16, No. 1
Other
articles on tools
|
