In our discussion of hand pruning tools, we've covered bypass pruners, anvil pruners and loppers. The last step on the scale of hand pruning tools is the pruning saw, which should be used for branches and limbs over 2” in diameter.

Loppers come in both bypass and anvil blades. They come with short “mini” handle lengths, traditional mid-lengths, long handles and telescoping handles. And they can come with gears or ratchets, and in “heavy duty” size. How do you sort all this out?

Of the two types of hand pruners (bypass vs. anvil), the anvil pruner is the lesser-seen variety. It is designed to cut best on tough or dead wood, with a straight blade that makes a slicing or chopping cut against a flat anvil.