Pruners That Make the Cut

By Gene B Bussell
Photo: Ralph Anderson
Choosing the right tool is the key to a job well done.
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Picking Quality Pruners

Ralph Anderson

For any gardener, quality tools are worth the investment. They'll help you make cleaner cuts and shape your plants correctly, and you'll always get optimal results when you pick the right tool for the task. Remember that pruning tools are very sharp, so follow manufacturers' directions for proper use and consider wearing protective eye gear and gloves. Clean your tools after every use to keep them sharp and to extend their use over a lifetime. These are some of our favorites. Ask for them at your local nursery or hardware store, or order them online.

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Berger Wavy Edge Hedge Shear

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Best For: Shearing coarse-leaved hedges, such as ligustrum, holly, cleyera, bougainvillea, or photinia

Buy It: Garden Tool Company, $64.95; gardentoolcompany.com

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ARS 7" Signature Pruners

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Best For: Cutting branches and stems throughout your garden (also available in other sizes to fit your hands); good all-purpose pruner

Buy It: Wood Avenue, Inc., $56.07; wood-avenue.com

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ARS Super Light Hedge Shear 19 1/2 Inch

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Best For: Trimming fine-leaved hedges, such as boxwood, lavender, rosemary, podocarpus, or loropetalum

Buy It: A.M. Leonard, Inc., $72.99; amleo.com

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Corona Long Straight Snip

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Best For: Clipping flowers (from roses to zinnias) for arrangements

Buy It: Corona Tools Store, $10.67; coronatools.com

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Joyce Chen Professional Scissors

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Best For: Snipping herbs, such as basil and thyme

Buy It: Chefs Catalog, $25.95; chefscatalog.com

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Felco 20 Lopper

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Best For: Pruning branches no larger than 1.4 inches in diameter

Buy It: The Felco Store, $74.57; felcostore.com

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