Garden tools for pruning trees: how to trim bushes

Anastasia Zemlyanichko 09/16/2018 no comments

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( 19 ratings, average: 4.11 out of 5)

• 1 Benefits of a hedge trimmer
• 2 Types of devices
• 3 Selection options
• 4 Best electric models 4.1 Reviews

A hedge trimmer is a garden tool with versatility, which can be conveniently used both for trimming bushes and for processing garden trees, green hedges and removing overgrown areas. Some types of tools can also be used for mowing small lawns. Devices come in different types and purposes, and this article will discuss their features and selection rules.

Benefits of a hedge trimmer

The versatility of the brush cutter is not its only advantage. This tool has many advantages compared to the same garden shears or pruning shears. The main ones are:

1. Wide selection of tool types. Each type is intended for certain types of work. There are also universal models that can perform a wide variety of tasks.
2. Brush trimmers can perform all the tasks assigned to a pruner more efficiently. The exception is the trimmer - it does not work with branches more than 5 mm thick.
3. The tool is easy to use. The wavy structure of the knives helps to hold the branches between them and prevents them from slipping out. Thanks to this, there is no need to hold the branches with the other hand while pruning.
4. Powerful models are able to cope with small trees with a trunk up to 30 mm thick.

Using garden shears

Pruning shears are a tool that is used to cut small branches. They are often used for pruning grapes, tree crowns and small bushes. They come in different types and purposes. Scissors with an anvil are used for trimming dry branches. Mechanical varieties are used for trimming branches of all types and different thicknesses. Scissors with a handle are designed for caring for bushes. Long handles reduce effort and allow you to handle branches up to 50mm thick. Rod shears are used for cutting high-lying branches. There are electrical and mechanical analogues that are capable of performing a wider range of work. Grass shears have an elongated handle. They are distinguished according to 3 criteria:

• type of coating;
• blade shape;
• length, size and material of the handle.

Cordless grass shears resemble a hair clipper. The charge lasts for several hours of uninterrupted operation. Diamond sharpening allows you to withstand heavy loads. The only disadvantage of the device is its weight.

Mechanical grass shears are equipped with blades that are easy to adjust. They can be easily rotated at any angle, making it possible to cut the grass with both your left and right hands.

Types of devices

The whole variety of brush cutters available for sale can be divided into four types:

• manual;
• electrical;
• battery;
• gasoline.

Manual hedge trimmers are scissors, the length of the blades of which can reach 250 mm. Long handles allow for more efficient cutting. With this device you can perform small jobs: pruning bushes, flower beds and trees. The blades of hedge trimmer shears can be smooth or wavy. The second option better holds the captured branches, preventing them from slipping out. Hedge shears are attractive due to their cost, which is significantly lower than their analogues.

The range of action of electric hedge trimmers is limited by the length of the wire or carrier. The wire can often create problems during operation - it can get caught on bushes and branches. If he does not work carefully, he can break or crush the branches, ruining the intended composition of cutting the bush. But despite this, the tool is easy to use and can cope with a large volume of tasks.

The cordless hedge trimmer is similar in functionality to the electric model, but operates on the basis of a built-in battery. This power supply method increases the weight of the battery-powered device and imposes operating time limits. This device is convenient to use in places where there is no access to electrical networks.

A gasoline-type hedge trimmer has the most power of the presented types. It easily cuts branches and small tree trunks, and clears thickets in areas well. High power in operation is achieved due to the gasoline engine. The brush cutter can operate without any wired power in any weather conditions. The disadvantage of the tool is its significant weight and high price. As a rule, the gasoline model is used infrequently for domestic purposes.

What types of tree and bush pruning exist?

tree cutting in winter
It is important not only to decide what to cut a tree with, but also to understand how to do it correctly and why. If you thoughtlessly cut branches on a tree, the damage will be critical and it will simply die. Today there are the following types of pruning bushes and trees:

• Sanitary - in this case, the gardener trims damaged branches on a tree or bush so that the disease does not spread to the entire plant. The cut area must be isolated from the external environment, using film or even paint.
• Rejuvenating - this procedure allows you to trim off the old ends of the bush to restore its lushness and size. In pruned areas, branch growth is activated.
• Radical rejuvenation is a technology in which all branches of the bush are cut as low as possible, at the root of the plant. This is necessary when the bush has stopped producing crops and all the branches look weak.
• Formative - this type of pruning allows you to create the same shapes from bushes and trees to make the site more attractive and original.

Any type of pruning of bushes and trees must be done correctly, using tools designed for this purpose. It is not recommended to prune in the spring, when the movement of internal sap has just intensified, as the plant may die.

Selection options

Brush cutters differ in the following characteristics:

• power;
• rotational speed;
• blade length.

The power of an electric tool is 0.4-0.6 kW; for gasoline devices this figure is 0.8-0.9 kW.

The length of the tool blade affects the coverage area of ​​the working surface . A longer knife is easier to handle larger plants, but it reduces the maneuverability of the hedge trimmer. A value of 45-70 cm is typical for gasoline and electric powered devices. The size of battery models reaches 10-60 cm. It is preferable to choose a brush cutter with a length of 50-55 cm.

The evenness of the cut is affected by the speed of rotation of the blade. The best quality cut is achieved at higher speeds. The rotation speed indicator can be 1.8-3.4 thousand rpm. Devices with the highest speed are produced by the German company Bosch.

The selection of a hedge trimmer is based on the following criteria:

• complexity and volume of planned work;
• remoteness of the power source;
• noise indicator and weight of the device;
• The tool kit includes comfortable handles and straps.

It is important to consider what material the device body is made of. The best option is reinforced plastic, which has the following advantages:

• light weight and reliability;
• resistance to mechanical stress;
• corrosion protection;
• low maintenance.

GARDENA offer

SlimCut lopper More details StarCut 410Plus lopper More details BL lopper (attachment for combisystem) More details Telescopic handle 210-390 cm More details
With the help of long handles you can reach high branches and deep into bushes where it is difficult to reach with pruning shears.

When choosing a lopper, first of all pay attention to the strength of its handles. Plastic and cheap aluminum ones break instantly. The cutting part must also be made of durable metal.

The best electric models

Makita UH4261 . This garden hedge trimmer is used for cutting shrubs and hedges. The weight of the device reaches 2.9 kg, which allows you to work with it for a long time without hand fatigue. The range of action of the tool is limited by the length of the cable.

The advantage of this brush cutter is the presence of a safety system. To turn on the device, you must simultaneously press two of the three available switches. This protection system prevents the tool from accidentally turning on during transportation. The model is equipped with a powerful engine and costs about 5900 rubles.

Bosch AHS 60-16 . This tool is equipped with high-quality balancing, has a light weight of 2.8 kg and comfortable handles. It can be used for a long time without interruption. The design of the device allows you to avoid heavy load on your back and arms during operation. High engine power and high-quality sharp blades allow you to quickly and efficiently process large areas of green space. The hedge trimmer copes well with branches up to 16 mm thick. The disadvantage of the device is the inability to operate in high humidity. The price for the model is on average 5,700 rubles.

Reviews

I bought a Makita hedge trimmer because of the popularity of the brand. I was quite pleased. The tool is easy to operate, convenient and lightweight, and copes well with trimming bushes in a summer cottage.

Igor

I liked the Bosch hedge trimmer. The knives have an optimal size of 60 cm and do an excellent job with medium-sized shrubs and hedges. During long-term work, my hands did not get tired. The best option for a hedge trimmer at an affordable price.

Valery

Features of a beautiful curly haircut

Decorative pruning of shrubs involves several steps to form the finished object. Let's present instructions with a description of how to trim bushes.

Step 1: install the wire frame. You yourself choose the form in which the plant will be located in the future. As shoots and branches grow, they will extend beyond the boundaries of the frame. Great attention should be paid to this. Any excess will need to be trimmed off.

Step 2: tracking the growth of shrubs. It often takes several years for a shrub to acquire the desired shape. It is necessary to constantly trim off excess parts of the bush that go beyond the established limits. After the plant reaches the required size, which was originally intended, the corset is removed.

Step 3: when creating complex decorative figures and sculptures, you need to use steel rods connected to the plant. They are left for exactly that period until the greens acquire the required shape.

Popular cordless hedge trimmers

Makita UH200DWE . This tool allows you to give shrubs various fancy shapes. The weight of the model is 1.2 kg, the length of the blade is 22 cm. The device can work without interruption for up to 30 minutes and is small in size. It is convenient to use, equipped with a battery charge indicator, a power lock, and a rubber handle that prevents slipping.

The kit includes replaceable blades for grass and various shrubs, which are easy to replace. The knives have a protective coating that extends their service life. Disadvantages of the hedge trimmer: high noise level, working with branches no more than 0.8 mm thick, short operating time between charges. The price of the model reaches 9400 rubles.

Bosch AGS 7.2 LI . These are compact garden shears with a narrow handle that weigh 0.7 kg. The lithium-ion battery is slow-discharging and has enough power to run for 80 minutes. The hedge trimmer is easy to use. The 8 cm wide knife is able to get into narrow and hard-to-reach places. The device has a four-stage LED charge indicator. The cost of the model reaches 5600 rubles.

Reviews

I have been using a Makita hedge trimmer for two seasons now, the blades are in good condition and cut the grass perfectly.
The device is comfortable to hold and the battery holds a charge for a long time. The downside is that there is no way to cut thicker branches. Anna

Bocsh scissors are easy to use and cut grass well. It is better to choose AGS 10.8 Li or ASB 10.8 Li knives; they have a 2 cm wider grip.

Eugene

Secateurs

Used for cutting branches with a diameter of up to 25 mm. They can cut thicker wood, but it is fresh and not lignified. Their purpose is to trim thin branches. The pruning shears should be lightweight and fit comfortably in your hand so that you use as little effort as possible when working. High-quality sector blades hold an edge well, and therefore cut easily and cleanly, without injuring the plants, but are only suitable for trimming thin branches and low trees and shrubs; for tall trees, it is better to choose loppers or pole cutters.

Productive gasoline devices

Champion HT625R . The device has a two-stroke gasoline engine with electronic ignition. With a power of 1 liter. With. The hedge trimmer easily copes with branches up to 12 mm thick. A long blade of 600 mm contributes to good work. The tool is suitable for maintaining hedges and decorating bushes. The design of the device allows you to control all parts during operation. The fuel level is easy to monitor thanks to the translucent plastic tank. The mobility of the device allows you to process a large area. The package includes: repair kit, gloves and glasses. A hedge trimmer costs about 10 thousand rubles, which is fully compensated by its quality.

Echo HCR-161ES . The device is designed for professional work with trees and shrubs. It is equipped with sharp double-sided knives. The powerful engine cylinders are treated with a special Hard Chrome coating, which reduces piston wear and extends the life of the brushcutter. The system that removes exhaust gases additionally ensures that mown leaves and branches are blown away.

The fuel pump and EasyStart system makes it easier to cold start the device. This is achieved by reducing the resistance of the starter cord. This design eliminates the possibility of kickback, ensuring safe operation. Maneuverability and ease of control are achieved using a handle with five possible positions. Tool shaking is reduced by a four-point anti-vibration system. The average cost of the device is 26,500 rubles.

Husqvarna 525P5S manual pole saw . Professional device for crowning trees and cutting branches at a level of 4.5 m from the ground. The collapsible rod simplifies transportation and subsequent storage of the tool. Light weight and balanced design increase productivity and help reduce fatigue. The X-Torq motor provides the pole saw with optimal power for cutting branches up to 30 cm in diameter at high speed. The brush cutter consumes little fuel and has reduced emissions. The air filter and durable steel plate protect the engine from wear. The cost of the equipment is about 42 thousand rubles.

Garden shears for trimming bushes

Reviews

I purchased a Champion hedge trimmer. He does a good job cutting bushes and grass. Copes even with thick branches. It is convenient to monitor the filling of the tank. The quality matches the price.

Oleg

The Echo hedge trimmer is quite maneuverable and fits well in the hand. The knives are self-sharpening. There are no problems with starting - it turns on quickly and without much effort. I'm happy with the purchase, but the price is a little high.

Novel

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( 19 ratings, average: 4.11 out of 5)

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