From removing large tree branches to carefully deadheading flowers, pruning in its many shapes and forms is a continuous task throughout the gardening year. Whether trimming perennials, tackling hedges, or cutting flowers, having quality, well-maintained pruning tools makes the task easier and more enjoyable.
I spent many years working as a professional gardener in the UK. I worked in historic gardens, including the world-famous Hidcote Manor Garden, and productive walled kitchen gardens. No matter the garden, countless hours of pruning was done to keep the plants healthy and the garden looking at its best. It helped me understand what the essential gardening tools are for pruning.
As well as knowing how and when to prune, it is vitally important to use good pruning tools - and to look after those tools properly. This is because using rusty, dirty, or blunt tools makes pruning harder and is a pruning mistake that can risk the health of the plants.
Best pruning essentials
The following garden tools are ideal for all the pruning tasks you will face throughout the gardening year. Along with the pruning tools, I have highlighted some other essential equipment that should be part of any pruning kit. These can help keep your pruning tools working efficiently and extend their lifespan.
I used Felco pruning shears for the majority of my professional gardening career and still have a trusty pair of Felcos that I use at home to this day. Felco pruning shears are high-quality, dependable, and comfortable to use. The shears can last for many years when cared for properly and, even if anything does go wrong, all parts are replaceable.
When I wasn’t using my Felco pruners, I was swayed by Japanese gardening tools such as these Okatsune ones. Such pruning shears are well-made, strong, and sharp, featuring a high-grade Japanese steel blade that cuts smoothly and a latching mechanism to keep the shears closed.
Loppers are an essential piece of kit for pruning trees and large shrubs. The benefit of extendable loppers is the increase in your cutting range. These anvil loppers have six different adjustable lengths and can cut branches up to two inches in diameter. As they are a pair of ratchet loppers, it means more leverage on each cut to make pruning simpler.
A quality pair of shears is essential as they are very versatile, they can be used for light hedge trimming, cutting topiary, or chopping back perennials. These hedge shears feature shock-absorbing cushions to reduce fatigue and an ergonomic design for the best cutting angle. As someone who has had to use hand shears for long periods, any features to make cutting easier on the body are very welcome.
A good pair of snips is useful for more intricate pruning, including cutting flowers, deadheading, and harvesting fruits and vegetables. The short, straight blades of pruning snips mean you can get close to plants and carefully trim. These micro-tip pruning snips are praised in the reviews for their sharpness and comfort.
A pruning saw is essential for tree pruning and offers an ideal solution for pruning tree branches that are too large for other pruners or loppers. I have always favored foldable pruning saws with curved blades that are convenient to carry around and can get into small spaces between tree branches or the trunk. This pruning saw has a 10" blade for cutting branches up to 5-6" in diameter.
An extendable pruner can be invaluable in reaching branches high up in a tree’s canopy. This extendable tree pruner extends from 7.9 to 12 feet, but its lightweight aluminum pole ensures it is not exhausting to use. It has a rope-free design - which avoids the annoying issue of the rope getting caught in branches - and, unlike other extendable pruners, features both a cutting blade head and a saw blade for extra pruning options.
Sharpening pruning shears, along with the blades of loppers, hedge shears and snips, will make any pruning simpler and protect plants. Using blunt tools means they will rip and tear at branches, a pruning mistake that leaves the plants susceptible to pests and diseases. Regularly sharpening tools is vital and this pocket-sized sharpener is handy to carry in any pocket or tool bag to maintain tools on the go in the garden.
Spray bottles are useful for two reasons. Firstly, regularly spraying the blades with soapy water and brushing them down during pruning can remove sap and debris that builds up and clogs the blades - making pruning simpler. Another spray bottle filled with disinfectant can be used before or after pruning, and when moving between plants, to sterilize tools and avoid spreading diseases around the garden.
Once you have got all the tools you need for pruning, maintenance is important. Taking care to clean garden tools after use keeps them at their best for longer and storing garden tools over winter properly promotes a long lifetime for your tools. Taking the time to clean, sharpen, and oil all cutting tools before storing for winter means they will be ready to use again in spring.
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