Tree Pruning Tools

Tree lopping tools or Pruners and Loppers come in a range of styles that can assist the home gardener with basic tree pruning tasks. Bypass Loppers are great for any branches that need a little more cutting power than secateurs. Extendable tree loppers on poles are great for reaching taller branches on shrubs and trees, while pruning saws are a basic addition to any tree lopping or pruning kit. Tree Lopping tools are readily available for sale from local nurseries as well as online suppliers.

We review differnt types of tree pruning tools

A good quality pruning saw is a basic tool used in tree and shrub lopping or pruning. Remember that the basic requirement when lopping or pruning and tree or shrub is to leave a nice clean cut, sharp cutting tools that have been cleaned are essential to prevent damage and disease when lopping or pruning.

Bypass loppers with their double blades and Anvil loppers with a single blade and a flat anvil are two forms of loppers that have different qualities.

Bypass loppers generally make a cleaner cut when pruning. However with some materials they can get jammed, Anvil loppers can tend to crush the plant stems causing damage to the stem, rather than making a clean cut.

Most modern bypass loppers and anvil loppers have extendable handles for extra reach.

So which type of loppers are the best ?
Generally a good quality pair of Bypass loppers is the best choice for most home gardening lopping and pruning tasks.

Pole Loppers or Telescopic Pruning Tools are usually a type of anvil lopper on a long pole usually operated by a long rope attached to the cutting head of the loppers. Pole loppers allow you to reach greater heights than other types of loppers without the need to ladders of climbing, a safer alternative.

Generally speaking Lopping tools will only cut through branches to 5cm (2 inches), check with the individual manufactures as specifications differ, after that its a pruning saw, chain saws are not great for pruning, they tend be a little tough on the plants and do not always leave a nice clean cut.

Maintenance of tree Pruners and Loppers

ALL pruning and tree lopping equipment needs to be regularly maintained.

Cleaning is essential to prevent disease spreading from plant to plant as well as to preserve the loppers theme selves. Loppers can be washed after use with warm soapy water and then dried and wiped lightly with an oily rag, or sprayed.

Sharpening of cutting blades is important as a sharp blade will make a cleaner cut and prevent damage to plants, and any loppers will be much easier to use with sharp blades, less effort is required. Sharpening is a little more difficult than cleaning, use a sharpening stone (available at most good nurseries) and follow the instructions. For many loppers and pruning tools replacement blades are available if required.