As a dedicated arborist, you need to make sure you have the right tools to perform your job correctly, safely and utilizing your time. Of course, you want to keep the trees you are working in healthy and looking good. That means getting your hands on the best tree pruners, hand saws, and other arborist equipment. After all, the difference between doing a good job and a great job not only requires your skills but also your tool selection. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
First of all, let's discuss tree saws. More specifically, hand saws. It is important that you purchase a saw from a recognizable brand name. A few of those names are:
Samurai
Fanno
Jameson
Silky
Samurai is a brand that is manufactured in Japan and was introduced in the United States almost 6 years ago. They pride themselves in offering cutting edge technology-both in handle and blade.
The difference between types of tree saws
When shopping for tree saws, you will come across various types of teeth and shapes of blade. These are not mere differences in aesthetics. Each has its own functional purpose. Here is a quick breakdown to guide you in selecting the right saw for your job:
Curved blade - Do you need a bit of control when cutting branches in tight areas? Do you need to cut quickly and speed up the job? Then this is the piece of arborist equipment for you.
Straight blade - A smoother cut at a slower pace than the curved blade. Hey you have to give a little to get a little right? Well, with the straight blade you also get the ultimate control.
Blades with gullets - Need something for bind free cutting? This is your ticket.
Fine teeth - Delicate cuts for smaller pieces of wood require smaller teeth. They will give you that beautiful, manicured look.
Large teeth - Obviously, these teeth come in handy when cutting larger branches. They work faster as you are not as concerned about making the cut perfect for the eye to see.
As you use your tree saw, keep in mind that you aren't using a traditional hand saw. The term "saw" may imply that you move the piece of equipment back and forth to cut the wood. Not the case here whatsoever. Instead, make sure you use a downward stroke to cut the limb in one motion. Having trouble? Perhaps you need to replace your blade. They wear down faster than you might think making cutting more difficult.
Pruning arborist equipment
Poles, sheers, loppers-what are they and what are they for? Well, first of all you have the pole, which allows you to reach branches at various heights. Many arborist equipment suppliers allow you to build your own pole kit. That means you choose the head, base, and middle section to piece together for your required length. Most poles have interchangeable saw or pruner heads. Pruner poles come in wood, fiberglass landscape series, fiberglass professional series, fiberglass telescoping series and fiberglass dielectric series, which are poles that are foam filled for working around electricity. Silky Hayauchi poles extend to 21' and comes with saw blade only. The Silky Hayate extends to 20' and is a saw blade only.
Sheers and loppers that are sold in arborist stores are of professional grade. They are for people who want an easier tool to use with continued performance year after year. Marvin brand shears and loppers are made from forged steel. These tools are not only great for the professional arborist and landscaper but general gardeners will appreciate their performance and lasting quality.
Remember, as a dedicated arborist, or even a power gardener, you need to make sure you have high quality arborist equipment. Find it online through a reputable supplier.
