Tree and Shrub Pruning Tools
Tested and Reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed
Updated 22nd June 2026
This page is dedicated to tried and tested tree pruning tools, used by Fred and his team of amateur and professional gardeners.
On This Page
Wolf Multi-change Tree Pruning System
Lightweight Long Reach Pruners
For My Page On Secateurs Use Link Below
Best Long Reach Tree Pruning Tools
Fiskars "No Tangle" Telescopic Tree Pruner
Traditional tree pruners are operated by a cord that often gets caught in the branches so I love this lightweight pruner with the cord on the inside.
The Aluminium pole extends from 2.4m to 4m but still weights under 2kg.
The final pull on the blade is made by a chain for extra durability and can cut up to 32mm.
This product has been around for 20 years now and I have had all versions and featured them on Fredshed from the start.
The shorter, non telescopic versions are some of my most used (and oldest) tools.
Every version has the multi-angle head, which is another advantage you don't get on traditional tree pruners.
There are 3 ways of activating the cut, pull the sliding handle, pull the side cord or for extra reach pull the ball at the bottom of the handle.
Fiskars UPX86 Telescopic Cutter
Saw attachment for UPX86 and UPX82
Fruit picking basket for all versions - except UP53
To keep your Fiskars pruner working longer spare parts are available for the UPX82 and UPX86.
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Light Weight Pole Pruner - Fiskars Long Reach Tree Pruner (UP53)
This is the original and lightest model that I can use from my wheelchair.
After 20 years I still marvel at its incredible cutting power and ease of use.
Fiskars UP53 Anvil Tree Pruner
The original UP53 is still available but the latest version is called the Powergear UPX 82 and has an orange tip on the blade. Both models are approximately 1.6m long and weight under or around 1kg. The orange coloured blade guide is useful but too long and floppy so I cut my one down a couple of cm as it kept getting caught on branches. The optional saw attachment fits the UPX82 but not the earlier UP53.
Fiskars UPX82 Lightweight Tree Pruner - 1.6m Long The UP53 Fiskars Geared Universal Cutter won a 2002 Golden Shed Award and other prestigious design awards. In 2008 it was re-engineered using more Aluminum, a bypass blade and a chain on the cutting mechanism. Both versions are 1.6m long and weigh around 850g and 1.2kg , but the UPX82 costs a bit more.
These Fiskars pruners are unconventional tools, but trust me, if you have branches to prune in hard to reach places, this is the tool. You will love the lack of entanglement and easy cutting action. If you don't believe me or want to do things the old way try the Spear & Jackson Telescopic Tree Pruner
New Pro Quality Swiss made - Felco Telescopic Tree Pruner
This new tool is made in Switzerland, superb quality (and price appropriate) Felco 290 Telescopic Tree Pruner From my testing so far I am very impressed with the quality, ease of use and lightweight of the Felco 290 pruner. Closed down it is a similar size to the Fiskars UP52 and UPX82 but can be telescoped out to 2.67m. This is not as long as the Fiskars UPX86 at 4m but a 4m long pole becomes unwieldy so I prefer the Felco 290 for practicability.
The new materials make the 3rd telescopic version of this amazing tool significantly lighter. The latest version (UPX86) now has a bright orange plastic
guide on the blade so you can see it easier from the ground. This
simple improvement really helps when you are pruning the highest branches.
I have owned and used this tool since the first
version was introduced around 20 years ago I have even used it from my wheelchair!
The cutting mechanism can be activated from the
orange slider on the shaft or from the ball at the bottom of the
shaft to give you maximum reach.
The head can be angled to cut across branches
which is something you don't get with the old fashioned tree
loppers. A separate saw is available to attach to the UPX models
in both 1.6m and 2.4m lengths. If you find a long pole hard to manage then you could use a fishing rod support like the one on the link below to help steady the pole.
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Wolf Tree Pruning Tools
Wolf Garten Multi Change Pruning Saw I have used the Wolf Multichange system tree pruning tools for over 25 years. This 370 curved saw has a hooked end for side shoots and has its own built in handle. This model cannot be fitted to other Wolf handles. However the OYM3 model can be fitted to the Wolf ZM02, ZM04,ZMi12 and ZMi15 handles so you can use them to reach high up into a tree. The saw and it's brother, the adjustable tree pruner are both superbly efficient and are best fitted to the telescopic aluminium ZMV4 pole to extend to 4m, giving you a reach of 4m plus your own height. Whilst Silky from Japan seem to be the top brand with professionals for this type of tool the high cost of Silky tools is prohibitive to most people and Wolf is a sensible option for people who want top quality at a better price.
Wolf Garten ZMV4 Multi-Change Telescopic Handle Extends from 220 - 400cm Wolf-Garten Adjustable Anvil Tree Loppers RCVM Garden & ZMV4 Telescopic Handle
Gardena Combisystem Tree pruning Tools The Gardena Combi-system is also German made and I have used it for over 25 years also. It is very popular in Germany but as it commands a smaller market in the UK and prices are a bit steep for most people. I particularly like the gutter cleaning tool and the fruit picking basket. Gardena Combisystem Garden Saw 300 PP curved (8738) Gardena Combisystem Telescopic Handle 160 - 290 cm (3720) reach up to 5 metre Combisystem Anvil Branch Pruner with 3-Fold Transmission
Fredshed recommended range of cheaper interchangeable tree pruning tools
Darlac Swop Top Geared Tree Pruner Head This entry level Darlac range uses a very lightweight telescopic pole and is cheaper than Wolf and Gardena. It is ideal for someone who is not so strong or just does occasional tree pruning. |
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SHORTER LENGTH TREE AND SHRUB PRUNING TOOLS LOPPERS
Best Telescopic Loppers -Best Professional Loppers Top Quality Telescopic Loppers Telescopic loppers are great at giving the user extra reach and leverage but the introduction of moving parts presents a potential weakness. In my experience telescopic loppers fail either by snapping or the twisting mechanism gets jammed. This mainly happens if the arms are made from round tubular steel. This problem is overcome by using square section metal and locking pins to secure the adjustment. For long term heavy use Wolf telescopic loppers are the ones that I recommend (based on 15 years of hard work with the same pair). They will cut live 50mm branches and have the easiest handle adjustment method. Just be aware that the updated Wolf loppers are heavy relative to some similar size tools as they are designed to be as strong as possible.
My trusty old Wolf loppers and the new replacement model. Whilst ratchet loppers sound like a good idea and many work well, they are prone to breaking if used incorrectly. If you are a professional gardener it is likely that you will use hired help, and they may not take the best care of your tools. If this is the case it can be useful to have some more budget priced tools for your underlings to use. The Bulldog telescopic ratchet loppers are ideal for this purpose as they are strong, effective and don't cost too much.
The Bulldog loppers and the Wolf loppers. Bulldog Telescopic Ratchet Bypass Lopper Wolf-Garten RR 900 Telescopic Power Cut Wolf Garten - Telescopic Loppers - with arms fully extended and 50mm cut, The new version of my 10 year old pair is even better and is one of
the few tools I cannot find any fault with whatsoever! Use the link below for the best price deal- you wont be disappointed.
Wolf-Garten RR 900 Telescopic Power Cut
Wolf Garten Power Cut loppers - they go as big as you can cut with loppers!
Geared Loppers
I have been using geared loppers and shears for many
years now and hundreds of readers have bought them on my recommendations and
provided positive feedback. This first geared loppers were from Wilkinson Sword and they have now been improved further with the use of lighter stronger
handles. The Wilkinson Sword brand was bought by MTD of the
USA and the best geared loppers are now made by Fiskars of Finland. These loppers have the gearing mechanism
that provides extra cutting power but now the tool is 80% hi tech plastic
which makes them ultra light - but still very strong. Available in 3 sizes! - 2 bypass blade models and a small
anvil version. Use my links below to make sure you get the latest version Fiskars L31 (S) PowerGear
Anvil Lopper
Fiskars
L74 (M) PowerGear 2 Bypass Loppers Fiskars
L78 (L) PowerGear Bypass Lopper
Fiskars geared loppers showing maximum cutting diameters.
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Pruning Saws tested by Fred-the-shed
Best Pro-Quality Pruning Saws The Pruning saw is designed to get into hard to reach areas and give an precise clean which helps prevent diseases entering the plant. You will be amazed at how quickly a top quality blade will cut through green wood. Folding pruning saws are also available but I find they flex a little so don't cut as quickly as a fixed blade model. The best pruning saws come from Japanese makers such as ARS and Silky and Swiss companies Felco and Alpen. You can't go wrong with a saw from any of these companies but it won't be cheap. If you value quality and want to spend a bit less Bahco provides many tools to the forestry industry and their tools are very good. My favourite saw is the fixed blade pruning saw that comes with a leg holster. If you buy a saw without a holster expect it, or you, to become damaged.
ARS
Fixed Blade Pruning Saw
With Sheath Fredshed Pruning saw tip - Fixed blade = Less Flex = Better Cut
Folding Blade Pruning Saws Folding blade saws are convenient to store but less efficient at cutting.
My Bahco Laplander has given me 8 years use and has the best user reviews of any garden tool I have ever seen. It is popular with garden enthusiasts, woodsmen and even doomsday preppers. The Bahco Laplander is superb value and if you want a reasonably priced saw for pruning this is my recommendation.
The quality of the cutting edge is superb and like all the best saws it cuts on the backstroke for better control.
Links For Japanese Made ARS and Silky Saws For Specialist and Professional Use
ARS 240mm Fixed Blade Saw and Scabbard Silky Zubat Professional 270-33 330mm Curved-Blade Hand Saw with Scabbard
BIGGER SAWS FOR TREE SURGERY Bowsaws Tested and Reviewed
This humble Bowsaw in the right hands is one of the most efficient and cost effective garden tools available. For a few quid and a bit of effort you can prune or clear tress and shrubbery in rapid time. A Bowsaw is a lot easier to start than a chainsaw and requires little maintenance, and no petrol. If you do have a chainsaw then a bowsaw makes a good back up tool. If you buy either size Bahco Bowsaw you can be sure of always being able to obtain spare blades and keep this tool for many years. Even if you have a chainsaw you should also have a bowsaw as a backup in case of failure or if you are working in areas were people don't want noise.
24 inch blade 30 inch blade Copper Clout Nails ~Tree Stump Killers Light-Weight Long-Reach Pruners
This fantastic lightweight pruner has red jaws on the head hold onto stems after they have been cut. I have used the Darlac 600mm, and 1.1m version (known as Snappers) for 20 years. There are more expensive Japanese made ARS versions and a Spear & Jackson version. I don't think you can beat the Darlac Snappers. The way the handle twist to position the blades makes cutting easier. My Snappers have lasted 20 and 15 years with regular oiling and an occasional sharpen
Darlac DP100 Cut n Hold Snapper 1m long
ARS
Long Reach Cut and Hold Pruner - 600mm
Spear & Jackson Easy Reach Pruner - 750mm
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Best Secateurs for Professional Use
Original Felco 2 and the slightly larger, more ergonomic Felco 8
For extensive information of the best secateurs like these and also Japanese and German made Secateurs SEE MY PAGE DEDICATED TO SECATEURS AND OTHER HAND TOOLS
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Thanks - Fred
