THE ARS long reach pruner

I love using quality tools and avoid using ladders at all costs when pruning. This is particularly true if the ground is uneven or soft, as it often is in rain soaked Wales. When I needed to reduce the height of this over vigorous specimen of Cotoneaster salicifolius growing on a steep bank, I reached for my ARS long reach pruner and did the job from the safety of a level terrace. 

The tool was not cheap, it cost me nearly £100 but I never regret investing in quality. I have a Bahco long reach pruner that cost about the same amount but it is less convenient to use as the cutting mechanism is operated by a pull cord that annoying wraps itself around  the shaft of the tool and needs frequent untangling. 

The ARS pruner is like a giant pair of secateurs in which the handles are separated from the blades by a long, lightweight shaft. The tool cuts cleanly and I keep the blades sharpened (please see my earlier posts about sharpening). It is worth remembering that this is a modified pair of secateurs and so should never be allowed to cut thick stems. The Bahco pruners can cope with a little more abuse and if they cannot cope, I use my trusty Silky Fox Zubat pole saw. 

My ARS pruner is an invaluable part of my pruning toolkit.