Tips On How To Choose The Best Cutting Tools For Pruning

If your plants, trees and hedges are looking a little straggly, then it might be time for some pruning. To keep your garden looking good, you need to make sure that you are doing the proper maintenance and that includes trimming whenever your hedges or trees require it. To prune properly, you need to make sure you have the right tool for the job.

Pruning is the process by which a plant, hedge or a tree is trimmed or cut so that some stems, branches and limbs are removed. Pruning is done to help shape a plant. It can also be done to redirect the growth of a plant, hedge or tree. Pruning is also necessary to remove dead or injured stems, branches and limbs.

Pruning tools fall into three separate categories. First there are pruning shears. These tools are the most commonly used pruning tools. Pruning shears can be used to trim shrubs and flowers. The can also cut through soft wood up to a thickness of 3/4 inch so they can be used to trim smaller growth on trees.

The other two types of cutting tools for pruning are loppers and saws. A lopper has a longer handle than gardening shears. It is a two-handed clipper that has a curved blade. Loppers are used for trimming and pruning small trees. Finally, you can use a garden saw for some of your pruning. These handled blades are useful in removing branches. Garden saws come in different sizes so you might even consider having a couple of different ones on hand.

It's important that you use the right one of these tools for your specific pruning needs. If you use a tool that is too small for a job, you will end with a limb that looks like it has been mangled. On the other hand, if you use a tool that is too big for a job, you may end with another kind of mess – a massacre where you only intended a tiny trim. You also want to make sure that you keep your tool sharp and clean to prevent torn or ragged edges.

There is quite a range of tools on the market and all of them vary greatly in price. As with most things, you get what you pay for. The most expensive pruning tools have replaceable parts so you can merely purchase a new blade if yours becomes too dull. If you know you'll be doing a lot of pruning, you'll want to spend the money at the start and invest in good quality cutting tools that will last for years. If you have little pruning to do, then a less expensive pair will probably get the job done.

When purchasing a pruning tool, the first thing to look at is the blade. You want high quality steel – cheaper models will have blades that won't stand up over the long haul. You also want to make sure that the blades come together smoothly.

There are some teflon-coated blades on the market. They claim that these blades will cut through the wood more smoothly, but many people don't notice a great deal of difference. You'll need to decide whether or not you want to go with coated or non-coated blades.

Take the time to examine any tool you are considering closely. If you do a bit of shopping around and put the effort into research, you'll end up with a much better tool.

Safety is the key when doing any pruning in your garden. You should wear gloves and also safety goggles when doing any trimming overhead.

To ensure the longevity of your pruning tools there are a few things you can do. Remember to clean your tools regularly. It is all too easy to transfer disease from plant to plant if you don't take the time to wipe down the blade before moving on. You also need to oil your clippers. You should also make sure your tools remain sharp. There is special equipment you can buy to sharpen your shears, but you might want to have them professionally sharpened or purchase a higher-end tool with replaceable blades. You should make sure you are storing your pruning tools in a dry place, especially through the winter months to prevent rusting.