Best Fruit Tree Pruning Tools: A Guide to Clean and Effective Cuts

Pruning fruit trees is both an art and a science. While knowing how and when to prune is essential, having the right tools makes all the difference. High-quality pruning tools ensure clean, smooth cuts that heal quickly and keep your trees healthy. Cheap, poorly made tools, on the other hand, leave shaggy edges that invite pests and diseases.

When buying tools, there are a few things to look for in terms of the blade and handle choice. We will discuss that first. Then I'll share my top picks for hand pruners (sequeteurs), two-handled loppers, pole pruners to extend your reach, and of course, sharpening tools to keep your new tools in great shape for years to come.

If you are ready, let's dig in!

let’s start with the basics: understanding the difference between bypass and anvil blades—a key factor in choosing the right pruning tools for your trees.

Bypass vs. Anvil Blades: The Most Important Choice

When selecting pruning tools, the blade style matters. Here’s the difference:

• Bypass Blades: Designed for cutting live branches. These blades work like scissors, with a sharp curved blade gliding past a flat blade. They create clean, precise cuts that heal quickly, making them the best option for fruit tree pruning.
• Anvil Blades: Best for cutting deadwood. They feature a single sharp blade that presses down onto a flat surface (the “anvil”). This crushes live branches instead of cutting cleanly, which can damage the tree.

For fruit trees, bypass tools are the clear winner. They’re versatile, handling both live wood and deadwood effectively, and they create smooth cuts that promote healthy healing.

Blade Materials: What to Look For in the Best Fruit Tree Pruning Tools

The quality of your pruning tool’s blade affects how well it cuts and how long it lasts. Here’s what to consider when choosing tools:

• Hardened Steel: Heat-treated for durability, these blades resist rust and stay sharp longer. Ideal for most pruning tasks.
• Forged Steel: Strong and long-lasting, forged blades are shaped under heat and pressure. They’re typically found on premium tools.
• High-Carbon Steel: Retains a sharp edge longer and is easy to sharpen, but it’s prone to rust if not regularly cleaned and oiled.
• Titanium-Coated Blades: Offer a non-stick surface to reduce sap buildup and friction, making cutting smoother and easier.
• Replaceable or Resharpenable Blades: Extend the life of your tool by allowing you to swap out or sharpen dull blades.

Best Fruit Tree Pruning Secateurs

Hand pruners, or secateurs, are essential for trimming small branches. Choose high quality bypass pruners. Consider trying an ergonomic design to reduce hand strain if you are going to be using them a lot. Some models even offer adjustable grips for different hand sizes. If you’re managing a lot of trees, electric pruners can save time and reduce fatigue.

Suggested Hand Pruners:

• Felco Hand Pruners: Durable and reliable, with replaceable parts for long-term use. https://amzn.to/4fQnMsW (affiliate Link). I have these and I like them a lot. They are pricey though.
• Corona FlexDial Pruners: Adjustable grip and ergonomic design make these a comfortable option and the price is right. https://coronatools.com/collections/hand-pruners/products/bp-4214d

Best Fruit Tree Pruning Loppers

When branches are too thick for hand pruners, loppers step in. These two-handed tools are perfect for cutting branches up to 2 inches in diameter. Like hand pruners, bypass loppers are ideal for live wood, while anvil loppers work better on deadwood.

For added versatility, some loppers feature extendable arms for reaching higher branches. Heavy-duty models can tackle mature trees, while lightweight options are perfect for younger ones. As your trees get older, you will do most of our pruning cuts with loppers.

Suggested Loppers:

• Fiskars 32” Loppers: Heavy-duty and durable, I love these loppers. They are ideal for thick branches. But if you want to use them to get into tight spaces, they can be a little awkward due to their size.
• Corona Loppers: Corona has lots of loppers to choose from of all sizes. Affordable and reliable, with options for different pruning needs. https://amzn.to/3OudAu2 (affiliate Link)

Best Fruit Tree Pole Pruners

For larger trees, a pole pruner is indispensable. In our community orchard, which is located in a public park, we are not allowed to use ladders. So these extendable tools let us trim branches high in the canopy without a ladder. Some models also include saw attachments for thicker branches, though using the saw attachment can be a little harder as sawing off a branch high up in the canopy with a pole pruner requires a strong upper body and a bit more technique.

When choosing a pole pruner, prioritize lightweight designs with durable mechanisms. For frequent or professional use, electric or battery-powered pole pruners can reduce strain, though they tend to be heavier.

Suggested Pole Pruners:

• Fiskars Pruning Stik® Tree Pruner (5’): Lightweight and easy to use for smaller branches. https://www.fiskars.com
• Fiskars Extendable Pole Pruner: A heavier option for larger branches, with excellent reach. https://amzn.to/4g6Bwj2 (affiliate Link)

Best Fruit Tree Pruning Hand Saws

For branches over 2 inches thick, a hand saw is your best bet. High-quality saws, like Silky saws, a Japanese brand, make quick work of thicker branches, letting the tool do the hard work.

Battery-operated reciprocating saws are another option for large orchards. Paired with a pruning blade, they save time and effort on heavy pruning jobs. Just make sure to use proper technique for safe, clean cuts.

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Suggested Hand Saws:

• Silky ZUBAT Arborist Hand Saw: A top choice for precision and durability. https://amzn.to/49fAvmp (affiliate Link)
• Corona RazorTOOTH Folding Saw: Affordable and effective for most pruning needs. https://amzn.to/415oPAT (affiliate Link)
• Diablo Reciprocating Pruning Blades: Great for use with battery-operated saws. https://amzn.to/3OuSLyH (affiliate Link)

Next up is fruit tree pruning power tools! If you have a lot of fruit trees you might want to consider those as they will both make great cuts, and as you'll learn in the video podcast below, they can also protect your body from repetitive strain injuries!

Best Fruit Tree Pruning Power Tools

Electric or battery-powered pruning tools are a lifesaver for orchardists with many trees. These tools reduce hand fatigue and make pruning faster. From electric pruners to reciprocating saws, there’s a power tool for every task.

Suggested Power Tools:

• Tovia Electric Pruners: Reliable and efficient for heavy workloads. https://amzn.to/4fOHk0W (affiliate Link)
• Kebtek Electric Pruning Shears: Designed for professionals managing extensive orchards. https://www.kebtek.shop/collections/electric-pruning-shear

In the following video, I chat with garden communicator Ben Cullen about the best fruit tree pruning tools.

Sharpening Tools: Keep Your Pruning Tools in Top Shape

Keeping your blades sharp is key to making clean cuts that heal quickly. Regular sharpening doesn’t just help your trees—it makes your tools last longer and work better. For most of us home growers, sharpening once or twice a year is plenty. But if you’re a professional pruning for hours a day, you’ll probably want to sharpen daily. In the video below Ben Cullen teaches me how to clean and sharpen my fruit tree pruning tools.

For small tools like pruners, carbide sharpeners or diamond-coated stones are perfect. They’re easy to use and can even handle larger blades, like loppers or pole pruners. Pros, though, often go old-school. They use flat files for their loppers to keep the edges crisp—super practical, tough, and cheap. But flat files are too big for pruners, so instead, they’ll grab a sharpening stone to get those blades razor-sharp. It’s all about having the right tool for the job!

Suggested Sharpening Tools:

• Felco Sharpening Tool (F 903): Perfect for maintaining hardened or forged steel blades. https://amzn.to/418bsQk (affiliate Link)
• Corona AC 8300 Blade Sharpener: A simple, budget-friendly option. https://amzn.to/3Ov5ykM (affiliate Link)
• Diamond Color Coded Mini Diamond Hone Kit: If you want to get fancy, these sharpeners come in course, medium and fine textures. You'll probably use the fine texture for hand pruners and grafting knives most of the time. https://amzn.to/4fSExnr (affiliate Link)
• SHARPAL 121N Dual-Grit Diamond Sharpening Stone File Garden Tool Sharpener: This one is course on one side and fine on the other. Also thin enough to use on hand tools without having to take the shears apart. https://amzn.to/3ZrHjct (affiliate Link)
• 8-Inch Flat File: Ideal for sharpening loppers and other large tools. https://amzn.to/3OwMimR (affiliate Link)

Final Thoughts: The Best Fruit Tree Pruning Tools for Every Grower

Investing in high-quality pruning tools is one of the best things you can do for your fruit trees. Whether you’re trimming small branches with hand pruners, cutting larger limbs with loppers, or tackling high branches with a pole pruner, the right tools make pruning easier and more effective.

But good tools are not enough. You also need good fruit tree pruning strategies. Pruning fruit trees is a whole different game compared to pruning native or ornamental trees. Want to know the difference? Check out our online fruit tree pruning articles. You'll learn when to prune fruit trees, how to prune young fruit trees and even how to prune old apple trees to improve tree health and harvest quality.

Ready to take your fruit tree care skills to the next level? Join my online course, Certificate in Fruit Tree Care, where I’ll teach you everything you need to know about pruning fruit trees and so much more! Let’s grow healthy, productive trees together.

Susan Poizner

Director, OrchardPeople.com Fruit Tree Care Education

Learn more about Susan on the about us page.