Best Tools for Shrub Pruning

Pruning is required to maintain healthy, attractive shrubs. However, choosing the right tools for the job can be just as important as the pruning technique itself. In this guide, we’ll explore the best tools for shrub pruning, helping you achieve professional-looking results in your garden. Make sure to check out the video above, too, where This Old House landscape contractor Lee Gilliam demonstrates various pruning tools and techniques with host Kevin O’Connor.

Why is Pruning Important?

Regular pruning can help your shrubs and landscape look great, but it also contributes significantly to your shrubs’ health. Here are some of the most notable benefits:

• Removing dead or diseased branches can encourage healthy growth and reduce pests 
• More light and air can reach the inner branches, which promotes better flowering and fruiting
• Pruning weak or overextended branches reduces the risk of damage during storms
• Helps to prevent potential hazards to people and property

Different Pruning Tools

Different pruning tools are designed for various tasks, from shaping hedges to removing thick branches. 

Powered Shears

Powered shears are ideal for large-scale pruning projects and maintaining formal hedges. Thanks to their articulating heads and pole extensions, they’re highly versatile and great for tall or wide hedges. They also excel at creating flat planes and geometric shapes, and with adjustable speeds, you can better control the intensity of cuts.

These tools come in two main varieties—gas-powered and battery-powered. Gas-powered shears offer high power and mobility, making them suitable for professional landscapers or homeowners with extensive hedges. Battery-powered shears are an eco-friendly option and are typically quieter than their gas-powered counterparts.

Long Shears

Long shears, also known as hedge shears, are manual tools designed for shaping and trimming shrubs, providing precise control for both natural and formal styles. They’re perfect for gardeners who prefer a hands-on approach, offering the tactile satisfaction of manual shaping.

Long shears are particularly effective for boxwoods and other dense shrubs. They’re also ideal if you need to create a clean, straight edge on a hedge or if you need to remove a significant amount of foliage quickly. Although long shears can also be ideal for trimming trees, you may need a pole cutter for thicker branches.

Hand Pruners

Hand pruners are designed for detailed pruning work and maintaining plant health. They’re often used for removing dead or diseased branches, thinning out dense growth to improve air circulation, and making precise cuts to encourage new growth. Hand pruners are versatile and can be perfect for perennials and small trees in addition to shrubs.

When using hand pruners, it’s best to cut just above a leaf node or branch junction to promote healthy regrowth. This technique helps maintain the natural shape of the shrub while encouraging fuller, more vigorous growth. 

Loppers

Loppers are designed for cutting thicker branches that hand pruners can’t handle. They have long handles for increased leverage, larger cutting capacity (typically up to 2 inches in diameter), and various blade types for different cutting needs.

Loppers are particularly useful for shrubs with woody stems or for rejuvenation pruning of older, overgrown plants. 

Choosing the Right Tool for Different Shrubs

Selecting the appropriate pruning tool depends on the type of shrub and the desired outcome. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best tool for the job.

Boxwoods and Formal Hedges

For boxwoods and other formal hedges, long shears are often the tool of choice. They allow for precise shaping and can quickly remove a large amount of foliage. 

Flowering Shrubs

Flowering shrubs, such as hydrangeas or lilacs, often benefit from a combination of hand pruners and loppers. Hand pruners should be used for deadheading and light shaping, while loppers are ideal for removing older, thicker stems to encourage new growth. Avoid using powered shears, as they can damage flower buds and disrupt the natural form of the plant.

Plan ahead when pruning flowering shrubs. Pruning at the wrong time can result in the loss of blooms for the season. 

Evergreen Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs, such as yews or junipers, require consistent upkeep to maintain their shape and health. Regular pruning is recommended, as it helps prevent these shrubs from becoming too dense, which can lead to disease issues.

Here are some tool recommendations:

• Long shears work well for maintaining the overall shape
• Hand pruners are useful for removing dead or diseased branches
• Loppers can help with the periodic thinning of older growth

Large, Fast-Growing Shrubs

Fast-growing shrubs, including privet or forsythia, are effective as privacy screens or windbreaks. However, they can quickly become unruly if not pruned regularly and can require more aggressive pruning techniques. Here are some tips:

• Powered shears can quickly trim large hedges
• Loppers are best for cutting back thicker branches
• Hand pruners help with detailed shaping and thinning

Pruning Techniques for Healthy Shrubs

In addition to using the right tool for the job, you need to have the right technique for pruning. It’s important to understand the specific needs and growth patterns of each type of shrub so you can tailor your approach. You should also know the dos and don’ts of shrub pruning.

In general, though, keep these techniques and tips in mind: 

• Always use clean, sharp tools to prevent damage and disease transmission.
• Make cuts at a 45-degree angle just above a bud or branch junction.
• Remove no more than one-third of the shrub’s growth in a single season.
• Thin out dense growth to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration.

• Understand your shrubs’ growth habits to determine the best pruning schedule. Some shrubs benefit from pruning right after flowering, while others should be pruned during their dormant season.
• Learn the signs of plant stress to identify when a shrub needs pruning, such as reduced flowering, leggy growth, or dieback in certain branches.
• Incorporate mulching around the base of your shrubs after pruning to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, provide nutrients, and support overall plant health. 
• Regularly inspect your shrubs for signs of pests or diseases. 

Safety Considerations

When pruning shrubs, always prioritize safety:

• Wear protective gear, including gloves and safety glasses.
• Use caution when working with powered tools.
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially when using long-reach tools.
• Avoid pruning near power lines or other hazards.
• Take frequent breaks to prevent fatigue.

Maintaining Your Pruning Tools

You can keep your pruning tools efficient and in good shape by following these maintenance tips:

• Clean tools after each use to prevent rust and disease spread.
• Sharpen blades regularly for clean, efficient cuts.
• Oil any moving parts to keep them functioning smoothly.
• Store tools in a dry place to prevent rust and damage.

Our Conclusion

By understanding the strengths of each pruning tool and matching them to your shrubs’ needs, you can achieve professional-looking results in your garden. Before getting started, make sure to review in-depth pruning techniques so you can prioritize your shrubs’ health.