Things to Consider Before Buying A Telescopic Pruner
- Written by Mike Sharp
A backyard filled with greenery is a dream of every homeowner, and rightfully so. A big or even medium-sized backyard is the perfect place to plant some tall trees or hedge-level plants. It not only revamps the visual appeal of your backyard but also gives you privacy.
However, hedge-level plants or tall trees have their own maintenance issues. Like all other plants, tall trees also require routine trimming to maintain their shape. However, trimming the out of reach branches requires a considerable physical effort that might risk your safety.
Instead of pushing your physical boundaries and falling short, invest in premium telescopic pruners designed exclusively for this. A host of horticulture supplies and gardening tools are available in the market to make your job easy. Telescopic pruners clean and trim the far branches without you having to strain your back and feet.
Functions of a Telescopic Pruner
Ideally, we all want trees and plants to self-prune themselves. However, that utopic world exists only in our minds. In reality, timely pruning not only enhances the look of the plant but also improves its health.
Below are some of the primary functions of pruners for routine and remedial pruning.
Telescopic pruners remove dead or overgrown twigs and branches to improve the aesthetic appeal and prevent diseases. Pruning is carried out all around the year, even during winter.
Trimming down a heavy canopy allows light and air to penetrate properly.
To cut out water suckers and sprouts. These branches grow from the roots or at the base of a tree trunk.
To trim down plants and trees growing too close to roads, power lines, buildings, or other vegetation.
Removing parasite-infected branches to prevent the disease from spreading.
To regrow plants damaged due to bad weather or improper pruning practice.
Keep a balance between the production of fruit and vegetables.
Enhance the quality of fruit grown on the tree.
To cut out branches that are no longer viable.
Keep the plant or tree in shape for visual appeal and easy maintenance.
Factors to Consider Before Investing in a Telescopic Pruner
Battery-Operated or Gas-Operated Telescopic Pruner:
The first factor is the power source for the pruner. You can choose from two types: wireless battery-operated pruners or gas-operated pruners. While the former is mainly used for home gardening, the latter is a heavy-duty machine primarily used for commercial projects.
Wireless, battery-operated pruners are best suited for small gardening requirements like cutting down thin to medium tree branches. While it is not as powerful as gas pruners, it is compact, lightweight, and less expensive. Most home gardeners are delighted with battery pruners. However, consider a gas-operated model if your requirement is for a commercial project.
Safety Feature of the Telescopic Pruner:
Given that gas or electric telescopic pruners work automatically to trim down plants, the machine's safety features must be considered for safety. For example, does the device have an in-built stop trigger?
Modern wireless electric pruners feature a conductive trigger, where the blade stops moving as soon as the machine comes to touch with the user's body. For example, if you transfer the pruner to your opposite hand (gloved or bare). In that case, the shear blades open up automatically to prevent accidents.
To operate these machines smoothly, it is highly recommended to use INFACO (patented) conductive gloves while pruning.
Length of the Pole:
Lastly, ensure that the telescopic pole of the pruner is long enough to manage your requirements. Telescope poles come in various lengths and sizes. The longer the stakes, the more expensive the pruner.
Small to medium-sized telescopic poles are perfect for all kinds of trimming for home gardening. However, if you have to prune big trees, you might want to consider longer telescopic pruners for the job.
Apart from the length, you should also check if extending the pruner is smooth and easy. Jerky movements can affect the stability of the pruners and do a lousy trimming job. So, ensure that once the pole is extended completely, the joints are locked to prevent the pruner from collapsing or sliding down.
In Conclusion:
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide on telescopic pruners will help you get the right equipment. No matter which model you buy, you must also invest in anti-cutting clothing and footwear to prevent accidents. Happy gardening.
Author bio: Mike Sharp is an Australian horticulturalist living in Northern NSW with a keen interest in bush regeneration and native plants. He has worked with Forestry Tools on multiple bush regeneration projects in recent years.
