What Is A Pruner?

What is a pruner?

A pruner, also commonly known as pruning shears or clippers, is a vital gardening tool used to trim and shape plants, hedges, and small trees. Proper pruning encourages vigorous growth, improves plant health, and enhances fruiting, blooming and general appearance.

Why choose a pruner?

Pruners are indispensable in landscaping and lawn care businesses where maintaining plant health and aesthetics is crucial. Pruning allows your business to contribute to the overall appearance and health of your clients’ landscapes by removing dead, diseased or damaged branches and promoting new, healthy growth. It allows enhanced control on plant shape and size, which is high in demand in decorative and high-precision landscaping projects.

What are the different types of pruners?

There are two primary types of pruners:

• Anvil Pruner: This pruner has one blade that closes onto a flat surface, much like a knife on a chopping board. It is ideal for pruning dead or dried-out plants due to its crushing action.

• Bypass Pruner: This pruner functions like a pair of scissors with two blades “passing by” each other. It’s perfect for live plants as it creates a cleaner cut, reducing plant damage.

What to consider before buying a new pruner?

When investing in a new pruner, consider the following:

• Size of Plants: If you’ll be pruning thick branches, opt for a pruner with a larger cutting capacity. For delicate shaping, a smaller pruner might be suitable.
• Comfort and Ease of Use: Look for ergonomic features like soft-grip handles and balanced weight.
• Quality of Material: Look for blades made of high-quality hardened steel to ensure durability and a long-lasting sharp edge.
• Replaceable Components: Pruners with replaceable parts can extend the tool’s lifespan, since you’ll only need to replace worn-out parts instead of the entire pruner.

What are some tips to extend life of a pruner?

To maximize your pruner’s lifespan:

• Clean After Use: Residue can lead to rusting and reduced performance. Clean your pruners after each use with a mild detergent, and dry them to prevent rust.
• Regular Sharpening: Sharpen your pruners regularly to maintain their efficiency and make clean cuts that minimize plant damage.
• Proper Storage: Store your pruners in a dry, secure place to protect them from moisture and damage.
• Regular Maintenance: Regularly lubricate the moving parts and replace any worn-out components.

What are the most popular brands of pruners?

Some of the most popular pruner brands include:

• Felco: Widely renowned for their ergonomic design, durability, and high-quality steel blades.
• Fiskars: Known for their comfortable, lightweight, yet tough pruners suitable for a wide range of gardening tasks.
• ARS: A Japanese brand recognized for its precision and high-quality blade material.
• Corona: Known for their durable pruners ideal for heavy-duty pruning tasks.