Pruning shears and saws

• 1). Use pruning shears or lopping shears for all branches that are a 1/2 inch in diameter or less.
  
  
• 2). Make cuts at 45-degree angles near tree nodes to promote of shoots from the plant.
  
  
• 3). Place the blades of the shears on the branch and press down on the handles to cut the branch from the tree.
  
  

Saw Pruner

• 1). Use a pruning saw for any branches greater than a 1/2 inch in diameter.
  
  
• 2). Cut the branch by running the saw teeth along the wood, back and forth, until the branch falls.
  
  
• 3). Place the pruning saw on a pole to cut branches from overhead. Stand out from under the branch and run the saw back and forth along the branch.
  
  

Chainsaw

• 1). Read the owners manual of the chain saw for the correct adjustments and maintenance tasks before using the saw.
  
  
• 2). Press the primer button three times to prime the engine. Pull the starter cord to start the engine.
  
  
• 3). Start the blade when it is away from the branch and touch the spinning chain to the branch once running at full speed.
  
  
• 4). Cut branches larger than a 1/2 inch with three cuts. Start the cut 12 inches out from the trunk of the tree. Cut on the underside of the branch a one-third of the way through. Make the second cut 1 inch further out on the top of the branch and cut all the way through. Remove the remainder of the branch at the trunk of the tree. Three cuts prevents the branch from ripping from the tree.