However, for larger shrubs or hedges, a hedge trimmer or loppers – like these Darlac Telescopic Ratchet Loppers from Amazon – will be necessary.

Designed for cutting old, dead wood, Bahco's Heavy-Duty Anvil Lopper ($89.78 through www.rittenhouse.ca) has a sharp blade that chops limbs up to 1½ inches in diameter.

Find out which tree pruning tools you should use for everything from light trimming to cutting off large branches.If you've ever struggled to cut through a branch that was a tad too thick for a pair ...

There are 10 notches on the ratchet and the loppers will cope with branches up to 2.2in thick. I found them a little heavy, especially when using them on thick wood, but they work well and are ...