Leonard Pruning

A core pruning kit covers hand pruners, loppers, and a pruning saw, which together handle everything from small stems to larger branches. Bypass pruners for living growth, loppers for thicker branches beyond hand-pruner capacity, and a saw for limbs too large to lop. This progression covers the full range of cuts most pruning work requires.

Bypass pruners cut with two blades passing like scissors, making clean cuts on living stems that heal well, and are the choice for most pruning. Anvil pruners crush the stem against a flat anvil, suiting dead, dry wood but crushing live tissue. For healthy plants, bypass pruners give the clean cuts that promote good healing.

Keep blades sharp and clean, since dull blades crush and tear rather than slice, stressing the plant and leaving wounds that heal poorly. Clean sap and debris off after use and sharpen regularly. Sharp pruning tools make clean cuts with less effort, which is better for both the plant and the user.

When pruning diseased plants, disinfect blades between cuts or plants to avoid spreading pathogens, since pruning tools readily transmit disease from one plant to the next. For routine pruning of healthy plants, regular cleaning suffices. In disease situations, the simple step of disinfecting blades prevents turning a pruning session into a disease-spreading one.

Timing depends on the plant: many woody plants are pruned in dormancy, while spring-flowering shrubs are pruned after they bloom to avoid removing flower buds. Dead and damaged wood can be removed any time. Matching pruning timing to the plant's cycle protects flowering and supports healthy regrowth, so the right time varies by species.

Yes. A.M. Leonard pruning tools are stocked in quantities for outfitting a crew with volume pricing by quote, along with sharpening tools and replacement parts. Crews doing regular pruning benefit from quality tools that hold an edge, since clean cuts reflect directly in plant health and the finished work.