When it comes to choosing the tools you will need to trim the trees in your yard; you don’t need to spend a ton of money. However, you do need to choose quality over quantity. If you are new to the world of backyard tree trimming, there are two main points that you need to know.

Know Your Tree

Before you pull out your wallet to buy any tree trimming tool, it is important you know what type of tree you plan to tackle. The reason for this is you will use different types of tools depending on the tree you are trimming.

For example, is it a tall tree or a tiny tree? Tall trees require a special trimming tool unless you plan to climb the tree, whereas a small tree can be trimmed without having to use an extender tool. Additionally, some woods are harder than others, so you may need a heavy-duty blade to cut through the branches.

Know Your Tools

A basic tree trimming tool is called a pruner. The pruner looks like a curved blade attached to a handle. The size of the blade you need is dependent on the scale of the branches you plan to trim. Thick branches need a bigger blade than thin branches will need. If you are not 100% sure what size blade works best, then give your local garden nursery a call. Your local hardware store is also a good source of information.

Pruners come in different shapes and sizes. Some pruners are foldable, which means you can fold the blade down, so it is parallel with the handle when you are finished for the day. This is a helpful safety feature. There are pruners that are designed to be attached to an extension pole. This is useful if you wish to trim branches that are above shoulder height. The pruner attaches to the pole, and you can then saw the branch free.

If you are cutting thin branches on a young tree, you can purchase a small pruner to help you with this task. These fit in your hand like a pair of scissors and have small blades made of strong steel. One of the blades will be curved to help snip right through the branch.

A rope saw is another handy tool to use if you need to trim high tree branches. The rope has serrated blade extended between two handles. The blade is then thrown over the tree branch to be removed. By pulling on the each end of the rope handles one side at a time, the blade saws through the branch and removes it from the tree trunk.

Once you have purchased the right tree trimming tools for the job, it is time to get on with the task at hand. One final helpful tip: make sure you clean the blades with hot soapy water before you use them for the first time, and after cutting each tree. This is particularly important if you are planning to cut more than one tree on the same day. Washing the blades will prevent the transfer of any diseases that your tree may have to other trees that also need a trimming.