By Scout Nelson
Winter pruning is an important task for fruit growers. It helps maintain healthy plants, remove unwanted branches, and support better fruit production. Many growers prune fruit trees, shrubs, and vines after the coldest part of winter and before new buds begin to grow. This timing provides an opportunity to complete pruning before the growing season starts.
The period before pruning is also a good time to inspect and prepare tools. Resources such as Clean and disinfect gardening tools and containers from University of Minnesota Extension and How to clean and sharpen gardening tools from Kentucky State Research and Extension provided useful guidance on keeping garden tools clean, sharp, and ready for use.
Common Tools Used for Winter Pruning
Different pruning jobs require different tools. Choosing the right equipment makes cutting easier and helps growers avoid unnecessary damage to plants.
Hand Shears and Pruners
Hand shears, also called pruners or secateurs, are used to cut small branches. Most models can handle branches about three-quarters of an inch to one inch thick. They are commonly used for shrubs and vines and can serve as the main pruning tool for smaller plants.
Hand shears are available in manual, electric, pneumatic, and ratcheting designs. Some models have special handles that improve comfort and reduce hand strain. Smaller versions are also available for people with small hands. Left-handed bypass pruners are another option, with blade designs suited to left-handed users.
Loppers
Loppers look similar to hand shears but have longer handles. Their longer reach and larger blades allow them to cut branches about 1.5 to 2 inches thick. Some models can handle even larger branches.
They are useful for pruning fruit trees and removing thicker branches from shrubs and vines. Loppers are available in manual, electric, and ratcheting styles. Some models also have adjustable or extendable handles.
Anvil and Bypass Blades
Hand shears and loppers generally use either anvil or bypass blades. Anvil blades work by pressing a branch against a flat surface as the blade cuts through it. Bypass blades have two sharp edges that move past each other, much like scissors.
Bypass blades usually provide cleaner cuts because they slice through branches rather than pressing them. For this reason, they are often preferred for regular pruning work, especially when many plants need attention.
Pruning Saws and Pole Saws
Pruning hand saws are useful for removing large branches that hand shears and loppers cannot cut. Many pruning saws have slightly curved blades, large teeth, and folding designs that make them easy to carry and store.
Pole saws help growers reach branches located high in fruit trees. Manual models have a saw blade attached to a long pole, while electric versions often use a small chainsaw-style cutting head. Some models also have extendable poles.
Tool prices vary based on blade quality, power source, design, and whether parts can be replaced. Growers should consider their crop type, pruning needs, and budget before buying equipment.
Understanding Pruning Blade Materials
The material used to make a blade affects its strength, performance, and care needs.
Carbon steel: Carbon steel blades are strong and provide good cutting performance. However, they can rust when exposed to moisture and plant sap. Proper cleaning, drying, and storage are important.
Stainless steel: Stainless steel contains chromium, which helps protect it from rust. It is more resistant to corrosion than carbon steel but is often softer and may need sharpening more frequently.
Coated steel: These blades have an extra protective layer, such as titanium coating, which helps reduce rust. The coating can be worn away over time, so growers should avoid damaging it while sharpening.
Cleaning and Sanitizing Pruning Tools
Cleaning and disinfecting pruning tools is especially important when removing diseased branches, such as during a fire blight outbreak in an apple orchard.
The University of Minnesota Extension provides detailed guidance in its article, "Clean and Disinfect Gardening Tools and Containers". Common disinfectants for pruning tools include diluted bleach, 70% rubbing alcohol, and products containing 0.1% alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, such as Lysol disinfectant.
Avoid using vinegar because it can cause rust on tools that are prone to corrosion.
For regular and thorough cleaning, pruning tools can be washed with soap and water to remove plant sap and other collected materials. Other suitable cleaning solvents can also be used. After washing, it is important to lubricate the tools to prevent rust and maintain their performance.
Sharpening Pruning Blades
Sharp blades make cleaner cuts and reduce the effort needed during pruning. Before sharpening, growers should inspect blades for rust and damage.
For hand shears and loppers, a sharpening block or similar tool can be used when blades are in good condition. If light or moderate rust is present, steel wool can help remove it before sharpening. Tools designed to come apart should be disassembled during regular maintenance so that all blade surfaces can be cleaned and inspected.
Growers should follow the natural angle of the blade when sharpening. Bypass blades usually have a single bevel, while anvil blades generally have a double bevel. The sharpening angle is often between 10 and 20 degrees. Avoid creating a new bevel where one does not exist.
Sharpening should be done in one direction with repeated strokes rather than moving the sharpening tool back and forth.
Pruning saws and pole saws can also be sharpened, but this is usually needed only when teeth become bent or damaged. Each affected tooth requires careful attention.
Oiling and Lubricating Tools
Lubrication helps prevent rust and keeps moving parts working smoothly. It is especially important for carbon steel blades and tools that have been washed with soap and water.
Light lubricating products made for pruning tools work well. Other options include WD-40, linseed oil, and bicycle chain lubricants. Apply a thin layer to the blades and other metal parts, including bolts, springs, and gears. Regular lubrication helps protect tools during storage.
Managing Serious Rust and Corrosion
Poor storage and leftover plant sap can cause serious rust, especially carbon steel tools. In severe cases, corrosion can cause metal parts to stick together, making it difficult to take tools apart or replace damaged parts.
Growers can try removing heavy rust with a wire brush or a filing attachment. However, tools with serious corrosion may never return to their original condition. Restoring them can also require more effort than the tools are worth.
Regular cleaning, drying, sharpening, and lubrication help prevent these problems. By inspecting pruning equipment before winter work begins, fruit growers can improve cutting performance, protect their tools, and prepare for a more efficient pruning season.
Photo Credit: University of Minnesota Extension
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Equipment & Machinery