What Is a Pruning Shear?
A pruning shear is a handheld scissor specifically designed for cutting garden plants. They are sharper than regular scissors and often feature a spring mechanism within the grip to facilitate cutting through tough materials. Equipped with a stopper, pruning shears can be smoothly operated with one hand, making them efficient for situations where the other hand is occupied. These tools differ from high branch pruning shears, which are used for taller trees, and from planting shears which are specialized for plant pruning.
Uses of Pruning Shears
Pruning shears are commonly used for maintaining plants, bonsai, vegetable gardens, and flower beds. Their one-handed operation makes them convenient for tasks like fruit harvesting in orchards. Capable of cutting branches up to 3/4″ in diameter, they are suitable for a variety of gardening needs. Blades come in different types, including those with yarn grooves or fluorine coatings, enhancing their resistance to yarns and stains and maintaining their functionality over time.