Have I Been Using A Pruning Shears Correctly?

Are you keeping pruning shears sharpened at all times?

Are you protecting your eyes and hands while using pruning shears?

While using pruning shears, are you lining up the blade itself with your cutting site?

Do you keep an eye on the angle at which you are cutting?

Are you cutting with the tip of the shears?

Are you using your pruning shears for other purposes like cutting wires for example?

Are you cleaning your shears after every use?

You should sharpen your shears every time you need to use them. A sharp pair of blades gives a better cut. Use a fine-tooth file to sharpen the cutting blade. Hold the file at an angle against the blade and run it away from your body along the edge of the blade

Protect your hands and eyes. Use ordinary gardening gloves to protect your hands. If you're working around sharp and pricking bushes or trees, put a pair of safety glasses on to protect your eyes.

For the most exactly-placed cut, you should line up the blade itself with your cutting site. The blade passes to the side of its thick base, so the precise spot that the blade comes through shifts about a 1/4” when you flip the tool.

You should select the correct angle when cutting. If your plant is opposite-branching, you should cut directly across the stem above the node. If it is alternate-branching cut on an angle sloping away from the single bud at the node. This drains rainwater away from the bud, so none gets trapped on the stem or in a crotch and promotes rotting.

You should open your pruners completely and get the branch in. Cutting with the tip of the shears will stress your hands and dull the blade tip.

Don’t use pruning shears for any other purpose, because you could permanently nick the blade, making every cut afterward a bit harder. Some pruners have a small notch where the wire can be inserted and cut, so they are safe to use for that purpose.

Good work! You are using your pruning shears correctly.

You should always clean your shears after use. Rinse them with tap water. Dry them well, and cover them with their protective cover. Place them back in your gardening toolbox or tool shed. Avoid placing your shears in a location exposed to the weather and exterior elements.