Pruning Tools

The best tool to use in pruning is one which brings

you nearest to your work and over which you have the greatest control

to make all kinds of cuts. In the writer's experience no tool does

this so smoothly and conveniently as a properly shaped saw. A good saw

should be quite rigid, rather heavy at the butt, where its depth

should be about six inches, tapering down to about two inches at the

point. It should have a full, firm grip, be not more than thirty

inches long, and should always be kept sharp. Two-edged saws should

not be used because of the injury done to the tree when sawing in

crotches.



Cutting shears are often very useful, especially the smaller,

one-handed type which is almost indispensable in pruning young trees.

The larger, two-handled shears are useful in thinning out the ends of

branches or in heading back new growth. They should not be too heavy,

as they are tiresome to use. The extension handled types are too

cumbersome, too slow to work with, and the operator is of necessity

too far away from his work for the best results.