3 Must-Have Tools You Need For DIY Tree Pruning And Trimming

If you want to dabble in a bit of DIY tree pruning and trimming, you need the right tools for the job. Although it might be expensive to have the same tools as a tree service company, there are a few indispensable tools that will make your work easier. These three will make a good start:

Hand Pruners

Pruning shears are used for cutting hard branches of trees and shrubs. They are available in these three major types:

  • Bypass – These hand pruners comprise of two curved blades designed in the manner of scissors. They are strong enough to cut through hard tree branches and shrubs; they are probably the most popular type since they make clean cuts.
  • Anvil – This type is designed with one sharp blade and a base (the anvil). It cuts by pushing the sharp blade through the material until the blade meets the anvil. This pruner tends to crush the material being cut, so only use it if you don't care for the life of the material you are cutting, for example, if you are removing a dead limb.
  • Ratchet – The main difference between ratchet and other pruners is a latching mechanism that allows you to cut through hard branches with minimal strength. This is what you should opt for if you have hand problem or injury.

Lopping Shears

You need lopping shears for those larger branches that you can't cut with hand pruners. Lopping shears, or loppers as they are popularly known, have longer handles than those of the hand pruners described above. The long handles increase the effective cutting force, which is a product of the handle length and the applied force, enabling you to cut thicker branches with the same applied force. The longer branches also allow you to reach branches out of your reach without having to climb the trees.

Pole Pruners and Pole Saws

Loppers may be great for pruning branches above your head, but they won't reach branches dozens of feet above the ground.  For branches that are that high, you need pole pruners or saws; some of them can reach as high as 21 feet above the ground.  Some of them are even extendable, allowing you to reach branches at different heights.  The pole pruners are suitable for relatively small branches; bigger branches are best handled by pole saws.

If you know how to prune trees, you can use the above tools to keep your trees neat and healthy. Otherwise, hire a tree expert who already has both the tools and the knowledge for professional trimming and pruning.

For more information, contact Johnson's Tree Service & Stump Grinding or a similar company.


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