Skip to main content

The best tree pruners you should make room for in your toolshed

Pruning your tree can be a difficult job, but it’s often necessary for maintaining your tree’s health. Pruning can help keep disease and fungal infections from spreading, limit pest damage, increase airflow, and increase the size and amount of fruit or flowers. Figuring out which branches to prune is one thing, but actually cutting through them is another. Having the right tool for the right job makes pruning your tree so much easier, but how do you know what the right tool is? That’s where we come in.

Why do you need different pruners for different projects?

Technically speaking, many tasks can be accomplished with the same tools, and pruning is one of those tasks. There are plenty of gardeners who own a single pair of loppers, or one electric hedge trimmer, and use that tool for every pruning job. That does, technically, work. Those tools will cut almost any branch, but they aren’t necessarily the best fit for every job. Having an incorrect tool can lead to harder work, as you strain to chop through a thick branch with a tool that isn’t designed for it, or damaged plants, with incorrect tools potentially leaving uneven or jagged edges instead of clean cuts.

Large pruning shears cutting a tree branch
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Best pruners for tall trees

While you may be able to reach some of the lower branches from the ground, there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to reach every branch that needs to be pruned. You can climb up your tree with your pruner, but that can be dangerous, especially if you aren’t experienced, don’t have someone nearby to help if needed, or are climbing a tree with dense branches, reducing visibility.

Your best, and safest, option for tall trees are pole pruners or pole saws. As the name implies, these pruners consist of a saw at the end of a pole. They come in a variety of lengths, so you can be sure to find a pole that matches your tree. You can choose between a manual pole saw, which ends in a blade like a hand saw and is used by physically moving the pole up and down to saw through branches, or an electric pole saw, which ends in an electric saw and can be corded or battery powered.

Best pruners for thick trees

Depending on the thickness of the branch and the angle of the branch in relation to you, you have a few options. If the branch is close to you, then a pruning saw is your best option. Pruning saws are curved, specifically to make them better at sawing through tree branches. They can cut through smaller branches easily, and, with some effort, can cut through thicker branches as well.

If the branch is slightly above you, or at an angle where using the saw would be awkward, consider using loppers instead. The long handles of the lopper helps you apply more force to branches, making it easier to cut through thicker branches. The long handle and more sleek shape also make it easier to prune branches that are in a cluster with other branches or are otherwise within arm’s reach but difficult to get to with a saw.

Hands in yellow garden gloves pruning a small tree
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Best pruners for shrubs and small trees

For shrubs and small trees who have branches less than an inch in diameter, hand shears are the tool of choice. There are two main types of hand shears, anvil and bypass. Anvil shears have only one blade, with the other side being flat. The flat side acts as an anvil, with the blade holding and crushing the branch against that anvil. Bypass shears have two blades, like scissors or loppers. This allows the bypass shears to cut the branch neatly and cleanly. Since anvil shears are likely to crush branches, it’s better to use them on dead or dying branches, while bypass shears are a better fit for healthy, living branches.

Now that you know what the best pruner is for your tree, you’re ready to tackle any pruning project or trimming task. As always, safety is important. If you plan on climbing your tree or pruning from a ladder, do so carefully and have someone on hand to help out if needed. If you’re cutting branches over your head, keep a keen eye out for falling branches. It may be a good idea to invest in a protective hard hat, too. No matter which tool you’re using, be sure the blade is sharp and keep your hands and fingers clear of it.

Editors' Recommendations

Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and…
What you need for a gorgeous indoor rose plant
Grow an indoor rose garden for a lively and elegant display
Several orange miniature roses in a large pot

Roses are beautiful, elegant flowers, but they’re also typically grown as outdoor blooms. They can take up a lot of space and have a reputation for being somewhat particular about their care. So what should you do if you have limited space to grow plants, or if the weather isn’t compatible with growing roses? Grow them indoors, of course! Here's everything you need to know to care for an indoor rose plant.

Can you grow roses inside?
Yes, you absolutely can! Revitalize your indoor garden with a bounty of roses. Roses will grow just as well indoors as they would outdoors, as long as you take proper care of them. Here are the basics of rose care and how they’re impacted by the change of scenery.
Light
Light is very important for roses. Most rose varieties need roughly six hours of direct sunlight a day. For indoor roses, make sure they have plenty of light or look for a variety that specifically grows in lower light. Grow lights will be crucial if your home doesn't get a lot of natural lighting.
Water
When watering your roses, make sure that the top inch of the soil is dry before you water, but don’t let the soil dry out completely. You also want to keep an eye out for the humidity. If the air isn’t humid enough, your rose may develop a spider mite infestation! You can place your rose in a tray with just a little water in it, which creates more humidity around the plant as the water evaporates. There is, of course, also the option of investing in a humidifier.
Temperature
Roses are not very fond of the cold. They need temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit to be comfortable. However, you can start your roses in January or February — the seeds should be just fine with this timing. The soil will keep them warm in late winter, and you should see sprouts by spring.
Pruning
Roses do need to be pruned, and this is especially true of indoor roses. Pruning keeps them healthy and from taking up too much room. Simply clip faded blooms off with sharp garden shears or a blade.

Read more
How to make sure your garden is set up to transition from summer to fall
How to get your garden ready for fall
Blooming perennial flower garden along a walkway

Taking care of a vegetable or flower garden during spring and summer is fairly straightforward, as long as you know what your plants need. The transition from spring to summer is simple, too. Preparing your garden for fall can take a bit longer, though, as you'll need to start fortifying your garden against cold weather. It can feel overwhelming if you aren't sure where to start, but don't worry! This simple guide on how to transition your garden from summer to fall will walk you through each step. You can even use it as a checklist to make sure you're fully prepared.

When should you begin transitioning your garden?
Depending on the climate zone you live in, you can begin to transition your garden from summer to fall from July to September. In general, you should start your preparations before the nights get too cold. In addition to your local weather forecasts, the plants in your yard and garden can provide valuable information about the changing seasons. Many summer fruits and vegetables are ready to harvest during the transitional stage, and you should begin seeing a few leaves changing color as well. This is a good indicator that it's time to start your preparations.

Read more
Curious when pumpkins grow? Here’s our guide to growing your own
Get your timing just right for a healthy pumpkin harvest
Medium-size pumpkin growing on a vine

Pumpkins are a fun seasonal gourd with so many uses. There are pumpkins for pies, jack-o'-lanterns, and displays. You can grow tiny pumpkins or massive pumpkins. If you’d like to start growing pumpkins in your garden but aren’t sure what to expect, then you’ve come to the right place! While there are some differences between pumpkin varieties, this general guide for pumpkin plant growth is a great place to start. Understanding when pumpkins grow and when to harvest them will ensure that you get the freshest picks for fall.

Pumpkin germination
Growing pumpkins from seed is easy and fun, but there is something to be aware of first. Different pumpkin varieties will grow at different speeds. When buying seeds, the packet should tell you how long it takes to be ready for harvest. If not, you can look up the specific variety you have. If you aren’t sure what type of pumpkin you have, though, most pumpkin varieties take between 90 and 110 days to fully mature and produce fruit.

Read more