Loppers are pruners with long handles. They have solid blades for cutting thicker branches than hand shears. The long handles can cut accurately at greater heights and in tight spaces.
Unlike a handheld pruner, loppers can cut stems that are pencil-sized in thickness and up. Thicker branches in high-up places like trees are easier to cut with loppers because you have more leverage and a longer reach.
Avoid using short-handled pruners to work at a greater height due to the risk of an accident.
The are two basic types of lopper blade design, bypass and anvil. Bypass loppers are good for jobs like cutting seasonal greens. They feature two curved, thick blades that glide past each other when making a cut. Bypass loppers provide the cleanest cut because the thick blade is sharp and durable. The cutting action is also smooth, for quick cuts. This tool is perfect for plants that take a while to recover from pruning. Bypass loppers are also good for cutting thick, tough, and gummy branches, such as pine and spruce.
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