How To Use Pruning Shears

1) Prepare your pruning shears.

Before you make your way to your field or garden, it's important to have all of your pruning tools prepared and ready to use. There are a variety of tools you can choose from and picking one that best fits your task may become tricky since each tool has their own distinct features and purpose. 

For pruning shears, there are two types you can use depending on the type of wood you're pruning. Bypass pruners have a single-edged blade designed for making clean cuts on live wood while anvil pruners have a blade that closes against an anvil, designed for snipping dead stems and branches. Most gardening professionals and hobbyists use bypass pruners since they work just like scissors: easy to use and are known for giving clean cuts on green wood.

Your preparation should include sharpening, cleaning, and disinfecting your shears before you start pruning.

2) Unlock your pruner.

Make sure you have your pruners unlocked. Most pruners have a thumb-lock mechanism that keeps the pruner safely closed when not in use.

Unlocking your garden shears is as simple as squeezing the handles tightly together and turning the thumb lock in a slight counter-clockwise direction, releasing the handles afterwards. In rare cases, the thumb lock may be too tight to turn so you can try to loosen the screw slightly to allow it to move as desired.

 

3) Hold the handles properly.

Holding your pruners with just your fingertips can tire your hands so make sure to grip the handles using the base of your hand and fingers. Pruning involves repetitive hand movements which can lead to wrist strain and hand fatigue so look for a pair of pruners that have easy-grip handles, fits the shape and size of your hand and is comfortable to hold, especially when you're planning to prune for an extended amount of time.

The EnduroPRO garden shears are made to accommodate medium to large hands for both men and women, with its non-slip ergonomic handles and vertically-inclined angled cutting head reducing the chance of hurting your hands when pruning for hours.

 

4) Find the perfect cutting site. 

To get the most precise cut, place the blade exactly on your desired cut location. You’ll often need to use the tool “upside down” or hold it in a different way to prevent the anvil from touching the stub that will be left on the plant. This way of cutting will leave minimal damage to the plant, which should be your ultimate goal when pruning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) Select the correct angle.

When deadheading or snipping away dead wood, cutting straight through the stem or branch would be enough.

However, when pruning live wood, it is important to master the right angle. The cut must be at a 45 degree angle, the lowest point being at the opposite of the bud while the top of the cut should be just above the bud. Cutting at this angle will allow water to drain off the cut and prevent molds or diseases from damaging your plant. Furthermore, making the cut slope down and away from the developing bud will divert the excess natural sap from pouring down and interfering with the bud.

 

6) Get the wood all the way in, then proceed with the cut.

While holding the handles comfortably, completely open your pruners, placing the branches to the deepest part of the blade. With the wood all the way in the blade, squeeze the handles to close the blades and cut through the branch in one swift motion. You may want to snip through wood like how you cut with scissors but this is a method that may strain your hands, dull the pruner blade and damage the plant.

 

7) Clean your pruners.

When pruning different plants, make sure to clean your pruners in between cuts to prevent the transmission of disease from one plant to another.

Knowing how to clean pruning shears after use is also necessary to keep them well-maintained and free from bacteria which can harm your plants. This may include disassembling your pruners in order to clean any particle or residue that has accumulated over time. Use warm water with mild soap to wipe your pruner and to remove any sticky substance including sap, you may use an alcohol solution.

8) Sharpen and oil before storing.

Before you store your pruner, knowing how to sharpen pruning shears with any sharpening tool you prefer is a must. This will help in maintaining the sharp edge and remove any burrs from the flat side of the blade. Aside from sharpening, using a mineral oil or multipurpose lubrication oil such as 3-in-1 or WD40 to wipe down the joints and the blade will prevent rust from forming since it provides a protective layer to your pruner parts.

Beginners and even professionals struggle when it comes to pruning flowers, shrubs and trees. However, once you learn the basics of using your pruning shears before, during and after your gardening sessions, you'll find this task less complicated. Of course, it's equally important to invest in the best pruners available on the market that will support your pruning activities.

At Haus & Garten, our Titanium Pruning Shears are made of high-quality Japanese grade stainless steel, making these pruners more durable and sharper than other traditional garden shears. Each pruner is ergonomically-designed to provide comfort and ease when pruning and has a micrometric adjustable system for users to be able to make clean and precise cuts.

If you're looking for quality gardening hand tools, feel free to check out our range of pruning shears below for more information. You'll also find videos that demonstrate how to use each pruner in action.

CHECK OUT OUR RANGE OF PRUNING SHEARS AND PICK ONE THAT'LL WORK BEST FOR YOU!