- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - - (CLF6000) Advanced Core Cluster: ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE (CLF6550) Unit Title: PRUNING ____________________________________________________________________________ (CLF6553) Topic: IDENTIFICATION, SAFE & Time Taught in Year(s) USE, MAINTENANCE OF 2 hours 3 or 4 PRUNING EQUIPMENT ____________________________________________________________________________ Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson the student will be able to: Learning Outcome #: (J-3) - Identify, use, and properly maintain pruning equipment. Special Materials and Equipment: Handheld pruning shears, hedge shears, lopping shears, extension-pole loppers, narrow curved pruning saw, extension-pole saw, wide-blade saw, double-edged saw, bow saw, electric hedge shears, chain saw. References: Editors of Ortho Books. (1989). ALL ABOUT PRUNING. Available from: Ortho Books, P.O. Box 5047, San Ramon, CA 94583. Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine. (1990). WESTERN GARDEN BOOK. Menlo Park, CA: Lane Publishing Co. Harris, Richard W. (1983). ARBORICULTURE: CARE OF TREES, SHRUBS, AND VINES IN THE LANDSCAPE. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Evaluation: Quiz by instructor TOPIC PRESENTATION: PURPOSES OF PRUNING A. Using the proper equipment for pruning contributes greatly to a successful outcome. The following items should be used as appropriate: 1. Handheld pruning shears - This is the first pruning tool that a gardener should buy. Shears with replaceable steel blades are recommended because they keep a sharp edge longer and are more comfortable to use than cheaper choices. Use them for cutting stems up to 1/2 inch in diameter. Scissor types cut closer than anvil types, which can crush bark if not very sharp. Hold scissor-type pruning shears so that the thin cutting blade is next to the main stem; this results in the cleanest, closest cut. 2. Hedge shears - Use for trimming formal hedges when a neat wall of foliage is the goal. They should not, however, be used for most pruning chores. 3. Lopping shears - Their long handles provide extra leveraage, making them capable of cutting through stems up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Blades can be either anvil or scissor type. Compound models for extra-heavy work are available. 4. Extension-pole pruner - This is a shear mounted on the edge of an extension pole; it is handy for clipping small overhead branches. 5. Narrow curved pruning saw - The narrow curved blade makes this tool useful for sawing off crowded stems or branches with narrow angles of attachment. 6. Extension-pole saw - Mounted on a long, extendable, fiberglass pole, this saw is useful for removing small overhead or hard-to-reach tree branches. When pruning near power lines with this tool, exercise extreme caution. NEVER use an aluminum pole-saw near power lines. 7. Double-edged saw - One side of the blade has teeth that cut when the saw is pushed, making it useful for small branches; the other side has coarse teeth that cut both on the push and pull strokes, and is useful for removing larger branches. 8. Wide-blade saw - Use this sturdy saw on the largest limbs. Its angled teeth work on the pull stroke--the opposite of how a carpenter's saw works. 9. Bow saw - Bow saws are light in weight but strong enough to cut through large branches. The blades can be replaced. 10. Power hedge shears - These shears, available in electric and gas- powered models, are faster and easier to use than manual hedge shears, and are essential for most commercial work. 11. Chain saw - These power saws go through larger branches quickly and easily. They should, however, be operated with extreme caution. Climbing into a tree with a chain saw is extremely dangerous. B. Safe Use of Pruning Equipment 1. Working with pruning equipment can be dangerous if proper procedures are neglected. 2. If working from a ladder, have an assistant available for ground support. Never stand on the top two steps of a ladder. 3. Working with power equipment (such as electric hedge shears or a chain saw) either on the ground or on a ladder or perched in a tree is especially dangerous. 4. Because of the many dangers of pruning, it is best to work with at least one partner, especially if working at a height or using a chain saw. 5. Before attempting to prune from a ladder, look for electrical lines and dead or hanging branches. 6. Three-legged orchard ladders offer the greatest stability for pruning from a ladder. Use a well-secured safety harness if working directly in a tree. 7. Wear nonskid rubber-soled shoes, snug clothing, and leather gloves; if using a chain saw, wear steel-toe boots. 8. If possible, wear a hard hat and protective glasses; it is easy to bump into a branch and scratch an eye or lose a contact lens. C. Maintenance of Pruning Equipment 1. After use, equipment should be cleaned and dried. If diseased or infested plants have been pruned, equipment should be sterilized. Sap should not be allowed to accumulate or dry on pruning equipment. 2. Equipment should be stored in a dry place in order to prevent rust. 3. Shears and saws should be kept sharp. a. Sharp equipment does the job faster and easier. b. Sharp equipment minimizes crushing and tearing of plant tissues. c. Sharp equipment is safer to use because it requires less physical pressure from the operator, thus reducing the likelihood of accidents. 1/14/91 CLH/clh #%&C