Much of the commentary on long reach loppers simply covers the use of these types of tools for light pruning or a tidy up after using other tools, techniques and accessories for the main prune.
However, they can and are being used for much more than this.
With the shift to smaller fruit trees, both for commercial growers and home, this removes the need for ladders for pruning and harvesting work and with the correct tools all pruning and harvesting work can be undertaken from the ground.
The Golden rule " fruit trees should be no taller than you can reach with your pruning tools"
Having some long reach pruning tools provides you with some flexibility while maintaining the principles of the rule.
In these types of pruning situations the Nishigaki Long Reach loppers come into their own. More than just a tool for trimming small branches and tidying up ornamental trees these loppers can be used to fully prune a tree without the need for ladders or lifting equipment to reach higher branches– e.g. using 1.5m loppers to fully prune the small orchard trees that are now becoming a more popular option. The length of long reach loppers enables the user to prune the full height of the tree, even working into the centre at the top.
The design of the long reach lopper, particularly the length of the pivoting handle, provides plenty of leverage, ensuring cuts can be made easily, accurately and cleanly.
Long reach loppers are also ideal for pruning climbers or growth on a trellis Bougainvillea, climbing roses.
Long Reach Lopper Technique
Stand off to one side when cutting to avoid branches falling directly onto you.
Wear a hard hat for head protection, and goggles or a visor for eye protection. Steel mesh safety googles are ideal for this type of work as they don’t fog up and will protect eyes from twigs, sawdust and other small particles.
For long reach loppers don’t try cutting anything too large (stick to manufacturers’ guidelines). Getting the blades stuck in a cut can be a problem if you overestimate the cut size. If you are unsure, use a pole saw.
Follow standard lopper technique guidelines – you can mover the blades around the cut but don’t move the loppers from side to side, this can result in bent blades.
Don’t use long reach tools near power lines or in situations where pruned branches will fall onto power lines.
Nishigaki Futomaru Bypass Long Reach Lopper Range:
1.50 metre
2.00 metre
1.80 to 2.55 metre telescopic
In future blogs we will cover the use of [telescopic] pole saws, electric shears on a pole and other long reach pruning techniques.
