Pruning tools

Cindy Fake University of California Cooperative

Extension, Placer & Nevada CountiesJanuary 2012

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Essential Pruning Tools

• Secateurs or hand pruners• Lemon clippers for

harvesting• Loppers for branches >½”

diameter (1.25 cm)• Pruning saw

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Pruning Tools for Larger Trees

• Pole pruner/saw• Orchard ladder• Chainsaw

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Pruning Tool Care

• Tools need to be sharp & clean

• Sterilizing pruners is not necessary for most bacterial and fungal diseases

• For vascular diseases and those which form oozing cankers, pruning shears can transmit disease.

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Sterilizing Pruning Tools

• Sterilization of pruners is important in orchards with virus diseases or wet cankers

• Sterilize with bleach• Heat does not kill viruses

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Pruning tools

• Cindy Fake • University of California Cooperative

Extension, Placer & Nevada Counties• January 2012