Any homeowner or professional landscaper who takes care of shrubs is going to have to do some pruning to keep the plants healthy and looking nice. The right tools help in this endeavor and in the case of shrubs, we mean pruners and loppers. We are more concerned with the loppers in this article. Understanding the different terms for the loppers helps to decide just what you will need, but as a rule, you will need both types of loppers, bypass and anvil.

All shrubbery needs trimmed at least once a year to get rid of any damaged or diseased limbs or branches. The right tool to accomplish the task helps save wear and tear on your body. Bypass pruners can be used for just about all types of cuts that are clean and help prevent damage when pruning.

For dead wood, you would want to use an anvil lopper. Invest in both types because if you have dependable tools, you won’t have to replace them so often and will have them when you need them. Spend a little extra for quality because in the long run, you do save money.

Make sure that the tool you choose is the right tool for the job. If you are using a garden lopper to take a branch down that really should come down with a saw, you are overworking yourself, the tool and could possibly damage your plants. Be sure that the lopper will be able to make one clean cut when you prune, otherwise you are causing multiple wounds on the shrub and it could attract insects or disease more quickly than just one cut would.

The longer the handle of the garden lopper, the more leverage you will have when cutting. This is especially important for individuals who do not have height as an asset when it comes to pruning taller bushes. The long handles give more leverage for the cut, making it easier to make a clean cut.

For closer and less stout jobs, a shorter handled Garden Lopper should be used. The shorter version will give you a powerful cut on a smaller diameter. Find garden loppers that have a good hand grip that will be non-slip. Accidents are avoidable if you practice safety measures and use good equipment.

When you prune with loppers, be sure that your shoulders and upper arm are not held at an awkward angle. Aligning the shoulders to the job will assist you in the heavy lifting and cutting that will be necessary on some trees and bushes. Making sure your equipment is very sharp will help in the cuts necessary.

Always remember, if the loppers are too awkward to use, the next step you can take for safety is a small saw. Loppers should be used for branches that are no more than three inches in diameter otherwise you place too much strain on your hands, wrist, arms, neck and back. The next day will be painful and you are not likely to want o experience this again.

Both professional nursery workers and homeowners who garden know that being able to use equipment correctly and safely are paramount to good gardening practices that will allow everyone to enjoy gardening. Using loppers correctly will save your wrist from being strained when both hands apply equal pressure to the cut and you angle the lopper at about a 45° angle.

This creates a good clean cut on the plant and will allow the plant to heal the cut quickly before insects or disease can do more damage. Cut close to the collar of the branch next to the trunk, leaving the collar and cutting flat to it with the loppers. This keeps plants healthy and your body from hurting. Correct usage of garden loppers can beautify your plants and landscapes and provide you with the pleasure of working outside with nature.