• Use basic pruning shears to trim hedges or bushes.garden shears closed image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com
  
  Trimming or pruning trees and bushes is done for aesthetic purposes as well as safety and environmental reasons. When pruning trees or bushes, it's important not to cut too much because improper cuts may lead to infection and disease. Using the right tool is necessary not only to complete cuts but to do them precisely and with minimal damage. In order to handle different pruning situations, the gardener must use a variety of tools.
  
  

Bushes, Hedges and Small Branches

• Pruning shears are used to trim hedges and bushes as well as to cut branches with a diameter of 1/2 inch or less. There are several kinds of pruning shears, each with its own advantages depending upon the plant. Anvil action shears consist of a blade that cuts against a flat surface. These are usually cheaper and less precise than scissor action shears, which consist of a small, sharp blade cutting past a thicker, larger blade for a more precise cut, usually causing less damage to the branch. For larger bushes, shrubs and hedges, a pair of hedge shears is usually the most useful. These shears have long blades, able to cut more material at once for a faster job. The blades are usually thin and light in order to reduce fatigue for longer jobs.
  
  

Larger Branches

• For branches larger than 1/2 inch thick, most pruning shears are either unable to cut all the way through or will cause excessive damage. Lopping shears are most efficient for larger branches of up to a little more than 1 inch. This tool consists of long handles with blades similar to pruning shears but sharper and sturdier. The long handles provide more leverage for a stronger cutting force. Branches with a diameter greater than 1 1/2 inches almost always require a saw. Pruning saws are different from carpenter saws in that they are curved, with the teeth facing the handle so that cuts are made by a pulling motion, rather than by pushing. This is a major advantage for hard to reach areas where pushing further outward may be either awkward or impossible.
  
  

Additional Tools

• A variety of additional tools are available for unusual or difficult circumstances. Pole extensions are useful for cutting branches or trimming the leaves of tall trees, hedges and bushes. Pole pruners consist of a lever or trigger attached to the shears by a cable or wire, which is necessary to provide the cutting action; these are essentially like a pair of over-sized lopping shears. For extremely thick branches or large-scale trimming jobs, electric tools reduce fatigue and increase speed significantly on the job. Chainsaws are best for cutting large tree branches, while electric hedge shears provide quick and precise pruning for hedges and bushes of all kinds. Electric pruning saws also are useful for cutting tall branches that are too thick for pruning poles.