Ditch The Shears: There's A Better, Easier Way To Prune Shrubs
When it comes to those essential garden tools for pruning, you probably do not stray too far from your trusted shears. They are easy to use, affordable, and they help you keep the shrubs and trees in your yard in tip-top shape. However, it may be time to ditch those shears and get yourself a pair of loppers instead. Loppers are said to be the heroes of garden pruning, especially for larger plants and hedges, but they may be missing from your tool rack.
Like garden shears, you can purchase loppers with both bypass and anvil blades. The anvil variety has a sharp blade at the top that cuts down to a flat surface, while the bypass has a curved, overlapping blade, also known as the scissor type. However, unlike garden shears, loppers have longer handles that give you more leverage and reach. They are also better at cutting through thicker branches and stems that are about 1 and a half inches in diameter. There are many different lopper tools available, and some have features that make gardening even easier. For example, you can find one with telescopic handles that allow you to reach even higher for pruning. Geared and compound loppers are also available and increase cutting power.
When are loppers better than shears?
Many smaller shrubs and flowers can easily be pruned with garden shears, especially if you are just doing a little bit of shaping and tidying up. However, when choosing the best pruning tool for your needs, you may want to consider loppers for larger plants and bigger jobs. They easily make clean cuts when you are pruning a shrub or tree with thicker branches. On the other hand, if using garden shears on thicker branches, you may create ragged cuts that cause injury or damage to your plant. By choosing a lopper, you can safely prune that plant.
Loppers also allow you to trim stems and branches that you may be unable to reach with shears. Even if the wood is thin and could be cut with shears, a lopper can be used instead for those difficult to access areas. Furthermore, when pruning hedges, loppers are a great option, as they make even cuts while leaving the hedge with a natural and loose look. By adding these handy loppers to your garden tool set, you can keep your outside space looking happy, neat, and healthy.