If you use poor tools when pruning fruit trees, the cut will fray, do not heal well and thus provide the ideal entry point for pathogens and fungi. In this guide article you will learn which cutting tools you need and what they should be like. Please remember: no matter which pair of scissors or saw you choose, the working material should always be sharp, free of rust and clean.

The tool must be sharp and clean

secateurs

These are available in different versions for right- and left-handers. It is worth spending a little more money on pruning shears (€17.82), as good quality pays off in the long run.

kind description benefits disadvantage scope of application
bypass scissors Works with two sharp blades that slide past each other. Very precise cut. The tissue is not crushed, but cut through smoothly. You need more power when cutting. Not too hard branches up to about two centimeters thick.
anvil shears Works with only one cutting edge that meets a blunt counterpart (anvil). They cannot tilt and require less force. The incision is not as precise as with the bypass scissors. There is a risk of squeezing the wood, which can lead to frayed edges of the wound. Hard and not too wet branches can be easily cut out. Suitable for branches up to about four centimeters thick.

saws

These are available in different versions:

  • pruning saw,
  • Japanese saw
  • foxtail
  • hacksaw

The hacksaw is suitable for almost all jobs. It also performs well in cramped conditions and is therefore the perfect all-rounder. The Japanese saw is very sharp. Models in which the tip of the blade is shaped like a bow are practical because they do not slip out of the cut.

With the classic pruning saw, even higher branches can be trimmed. Look for good quality with hardened teeth so that the tool does not become blunt so quickly. Handling the foxtail, which can be used to cut off thin and thick branches, is not entirely uncomplicated, as this saw tends to bend when pushed.

tips

You can shred the trimmings with a shredder (€199.99) and add to the compost. Chopped clippings also work well as mulch for beds.

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