How To Use Secateurs

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30471, 19 June 1964, Page 6

How To Use Secateurs

It may seem that there is ■nothing to write on the use of secateurs, but their incorrect use is very prevalent, even amongst experienced gardeners. Incorrect, use is responsible for ruining secateurs, irrespective of the type. It is also responsible for rough and ragged pruning which may be followed by dieback and disease invasion. Presuming that the wood to be pruned is required to make new growth, first select a bud from which growth is required in a desired direction. Now, irrespective of what you are pruning, bush or tree fruit, roses or ornamentals, cuts should not be made closer to the bud than a quarter of an inch, or further from the bud than half an inch. The cut itself is important. It should be clean and even, without ragged edges or bruised bark. Where the branches have opposite buds

the cuts should be level. In other cases it is usual to produce a sloping cut. This should not be a long sloping cut, or one that slopes towards the bud.

A correctly pruned limb should bear a cut which slopes away from the bud, at approximately 45 degrees, with about a quarter inch of wood left above the bud. How should this be done? First, sharp secateurs, and then a steady hand. Don’t try to cut too thick a branch with secateurs and do not twist them or whench them while cutting. With the rollcut type, place the anvil behind the bud, and, with the cutting blade above the bud, bring it right through the wood to the anvil, not almost through so that the bark rips away.

These few remarks should help to promote better pruning and preserve your secateurs in good condition.