Garden Shears and Pruners

Floral Snip

• For pruning, shaping and maintaining houseplants.
• Usually operates with a scissor action.

Landscape Snip

• Used in the garden or as a household tool.
• Can cut through many types of material.
  
• Has a serrated blade.

Hedge Shear

• Used to shape ornamental shrubs and clip soft, young growth.
• Blades are typically 8" to 10" long.
• Some types have a serrated edge.
• Some types have notched positions for bulk cuts
• Do not use in place of lopping shears or hand shears.

Bypass Pruning Shear

• Has a hook and blade cutting mechanism.
  
• Preferred by most professionals because they cut close to the stem and are ideal for cut flowers.
  
• Usually used for stems less than 3/4" in diameter.

Anvil Pruning Shear

• Has a straight edge blade that cuts against a soft metal anvil.
• Good for cutting dead wood.
• Lighter than bypass pruning shears and easier to sharpen.
• Usually used for stems less than 3/4" in diameter.

Lopping Shear

• Has long handles and tempered steel blades.
• Used to cut through heavy underbrush and branches up to 3" thick.
• Available in anvil or bypass styles.

Tree Pruner

• Pruning shears or a pruning saw is attached to a long pole that will accept extensions or operates with a telescoping action.
• Some models have a rope and pulley configuration where the user pulls the rope to instigate the cutting action.
  
• Typical pole length is 6 to 12 feet, but some reach up to 20".
  
• Used for high work or where a ladder cannot be used.

Pruning Saw

• Used to cut dry or green limbs from trees.
• Used on branches thicker than 1" and other tasks too large for lopping shears.
• Some models fold for easier storage.
• Some models have pistol grips handles for better leverage.

Bow Saw

• Used to cut dry or green limbs from trees.
• Used on branches thicker than 1" and other tasks too large for lopping shears.
• Blade tightens a tension lever.
• Has a lightweight, tubular steel frame.

Weed Cutter

• May also be called a swing blade or weed whip.
• For cutting tall grass and weeds.
  
• Operates with a swinging motion.
• Has a double-edged, serrated blade for cutting on the forward and return swing.

Machete

• Large knife-like tool used for chopping and clearing thick brush and for heavy pruning tasks.
  
• Usually has a hardwood handle with a hardened steel blade.

Courtesy of NRHA.org