Cordless pruning: shears and mini chainsaws, safely

Pruning with a cordless tool is much faster and less tiring than with hand shears: but it is also more dangerous, because the blade does not stop when you get tired. This guide helps you choose the right tool for the branches in front of you, and work with the right protection.

Electric shears or mini chainsaw?

The choice depends mostly on the branch diameter.

• Electric shears (25-32 mm): they cut fresh branches up to the diameter stated by the maker with a clean cut, great for orchards, olive groves, vines, roses and hedges. They are light and used with one hand.
• Mini chainsaw (4, 6, 8 or 12 inch bars): for thicker branches, dry wood and small firewood jobs. More versatile but also riskier.
• Kit with telescopic pole: it lets you reach high branches without a ladder, but needs great care with falling material.

The maximum diameter on the listing refers to fresh, soft wood: with hard or dry wood the shears struggle and the cut is slower. If you have to force them, move up to a bigger tool.

How to choose the shears

• Cutting diameter: 25 mm is enough for roses, hedges and orchard branches. Up to 30-32 mm for larger branches.
• Battery: 2 Ah is enough for a few hours of light work. For a large olive grove or orchard, two batteries and a fast charger.
• Weight: the one with the battery. If you work long hours, every ounce counts.
• Safety control: better if it needs two actions (for example, a lock plus the trigger).
• Spare blades available: blades wear and can be replaced.

How to choose the mini chainsaw

• Bar length: 4 inches (about 10 cm) for thin branches; 6 and 8 inches for medium branches; 12 inches for small logs and firewood. The usable cut is always shorter than the bar.
• Automatic chain lubrication: useful, but remember to keep the oil tank full.
• Chain brake or hand guard, if provided.
• Brushless: if you use it often, it is worth it (see the brushless vs brushed guide).
• Batteries: a mini chainsaw uses a lot of energy: 3-5 Ah and at least two batteries (battery guide).

A mini chainsaw is not for felling trees: it is designed for pruning branches and cutting small pieces of wood.

Protective gear, always

Whatever the tool, wear:

• Safety glasses or a visor: chips and rebounding branches come straight at your face.
• Sturdy gloves (for the shears) and gloves suited to chainsaw work.
• Ear defenders or plugs for the mini chainsaw.
• Non-slip soles, ideally with toe protection.
• Cut-resistant trousers if you use the chainsaw often.
• Close-fitting clothing, with no laces or straps that can snag.

The rules that prevent accidents

1. Read the manual and keep the instructions.
2. Remove the battery before changing blade or chain, cleaning or storing the tool.
3. Keep your hands out of the cutting path: a hand on the branch near the blade is the most common injury.
4. Mini chainsaw with two hands, with a stable stance, never cutting above shoulder height. Do not use it on a ladder or in trees: those are the situations where you lose balance and end up cutting yourself or falling.
5. Beware of kickback: do not cut with the tip of the bar.
6. Keep children and animals away from the work area.
7. Check where the branch will fall before cutting. With telescopic poles, do not stand under the branch.
8. Power lines: never prune near overhead cables.
9. If a branch is large or in a dangerous position, call a professional.

Maintenance

• Shears: clean the blades of sap with a cloth and a little light oil; check that they are sharp and not loose.
• Mini chainsaw: check chain tension before every use; keep it sharp; check the oil level.
• Batteries: store them cool and charge them with the original charger.
• Holster or sheath to carry the shears safely.

When to prune

There is no single date for everything: it depends on the plant, the climate and what you want to achieve. In general many fruit trees and vines are pruned while dormant, in winter; spring-flowering plants are pruned after flowering. If you are unsure about the species, ask your local nursery.

In short

Job	Tool	Note
Roses, hedges, thin branches	25 mm shears	Light, clean cut
Orchard, olive trees, branches up to 30-32 mm	30-32 mm shears	2-4 Ah battery
Dry or thicker branches	Mini chainsaw	Two hands, right bar
High branches	Kit with pole	Mind falling debris

You will find shears and mini chainsaws in the Garden category; below are the ones mentioned in this guide.