Pruning Shears
Pruning shears are scissor-like tools used to cut and prune plants and flowers. They can be very fine to trim small, delicate plants or very strong used to cut thick tree branches and shrubs. Pruning shears help to maintain the health, shape, and growth of your plants.
What are pruning shears used for?Pruners are used to cut, trim, and shape both live and dead leaves and branches. Smaller pruning shears are used to cut thin stems, twigs, and flowers. Larger pruning shears can manage thick branches and sometimes even young trees' trunks. Pruning tools are used in flower arranging, gardening, farming, and nature management and conservation. Pruning is essential to correct potential problems with plants and to keep them healthy. By removing unhealthy parts of a plant, it makes it easier for the healthier parts to survive. Pruning also helps plants to look attractive by promoting blossom formation.
What are bypass pruning shears?Bypass shears consist of two blades "passing by" or crossing each other as a cut is made. There is usually an arched upper blade with either an incurved or straight lower edge. As the shears are used, the foliage rests on the lower blade. The sharp cutting blade then presses down and cuts like scissors. Bypass pruners are designed to work on live, green branches and for trimming rose plants.
What are anvil pruners?These are pruners that have a straight cutting blade that closes down on an anvil or flattened edge. Anvil pruners cut similarly to a knife against a chopping board. They are designed for removing dead wood and cutting through thicker branches. The blade of the anvil pruner is not impaired or made blunt when it meets the anvil because the anvil is made of a slightly less dense metal.
How do you maintain pruning shears?It is important to clean and care for pruners because dirty blades can carry bacteria, which can infect healthy plants. After each use, clean your pruners by wiping off the blades with a rag. Then, use two teaspoons of dish soap in warm water to scrub away any stubborn sap and dirt with a rigid brush. Rinse off with water. If you see rust, use steel wool to scrub it off. Afterwards, soak the shears in some water with one teaspoon of bleach for three to five minutes. This step will kill any organisms that can cause plant diseases. Dry the pruners thoroughly after soaking. Before storing them, you can also spray the metal with lubricant oil to deter rust from forming.