The secret to smarter pruning
2026-08-18T09:54:17+10:00
Pruning is an essential part of keeping trees and shrubs healthy, productive and looking their best, but having the right tools makes all the difference. Successful pruning starts with using the right tool for the job.
Matching your secateurs, loppers or pruning saw to the size of the branch not only makes the task of pruning easier, but also helps create cleaner cuts that are better for plant health.
As a general guide, use secateurs for stems and branches up to 24mm thick, loppers for branches between 24mm and 50mm, particularly those just out of reach, and a pruning saw for anything larger. Always check the tool’s stated cutting capacity, as this varies between models. Choosing the correct tool will make gardening more efficient while reducing unnecessary damage to your trees and shrubs.
Garden pruning becomes particularly challenging when presented with a big, old tree, or a young tree that has raced away and grown out of control. Tackling these can be easier and more manageable with the right tools, especially when accessing the tops of large trees.
Safety should always be top of mind and your first consideration. Pruning overhead or cutting large branches beyond your arm-span reach needs to be done with extra care. Things to consider include uneven ground, and your skill and capacity to tackle this type of job.
Tackling tall trees
The Telescopic Tree Pruning Lopper StarCut Pro L from Gardena is a good option for pruning very high branches. Its length, ranging from 175 to 400cm, extends the gardener’s reach up to 6.5m (depending on the height of the user). The compact and encased cutting head prevents tangling in branches for easy hassle-free cutting.
The quality steel blades supported by metal gears deliver up to 12 times more cutting power, making easy work of cutting branches up to 32mm in diameter. If the branch is thicker than that, the StarCut Saw attachment (sold separately) can be inserted on the handle.
While the Gardent StarCut Pro L boasts incredible reach, it is also precision-engineered for user comfort and manageability. The improved lower handle offers a secure comfortable grip, with a T-handle for added reach, stability and performance. Watch more here.
For smaller trees
If there’s something smaller in your garden that needs a good prune, you could turn to Gardena’s Tree Pruning Lopper StarCut Pro S. It shares all the features and benefits of the longer L version but weighs just 1kg, and measures 1.6m.
Keep it tidy
Always clean up the cuttings when you have finished or as you go, to avoid creating a tripping hazard. Removing prunings also supports good garden hygiene and helps limit the spread of disease. It is also good practice to clean your tools between trees and at the end of the job, and simple, ongoing maintenance of your quality tools will ensure long term performance and longevity. Your trees will thank you for your care with beautiful canopies offering shade and beauty.
From the tallest branch to the thinnest stem, you’ll find your pruning and trimming needs covered with Gardena’s newest range of snips, secateurs, hedge clippers, loppers and tree pruners.
The Gardena cutting tool range is available at Bunnings Warehouse.
