Our experts share what they like best about three cordless pruning tools that can handle a variety of tasks in the garden

These hedge shears work for a variety of chores

essay by Jason Reeves

Using battery - powered hedge shear is a game changer . I sleep together my Black and Decker 22 - inch cordless hedge trimmer . It ’s ready and easy to put into operation and is less noisy and light in weight than gas - powered hedging trimmers . These shears are n’t just full for hedge and shrubs ; I use mine to promptly bump off the faded leafage of perennials before young growth start . They forge well on plant like hellebores ( Helleborusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) , epimediums ( Epimediumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) , and evergreen plant ferns . I have also receive that they are perfect for contract back ornamental grass in spring . This tool comes with a 20 - volt lithium - ion battery and courser .

beginning : amazon.com

Article image

Price:$129.00

— Contributing editorJason Reevesis curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens in Jackson .

Black and Decker 22 - inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Article image

This lightweight trimmer is perfect for smaller tasks

Tested by Stacie Crooks

Scotts cordless pasturage - shear / shrub - trimmer joist jazz group is the good tool I have recover in the last few years . With a build - in 7.2 - V lithium - ion battery , this little guy weighs less than 2 lb . ( yes , really ! ) and can zip through all your venial prune tasks quickly and easy . It position less stress on my hands than using pruners . The tool comes with two blade : a 7 - inch hedge blade and a 4 - column inch shear blade . While it ’s not heavy - obligation enough for heavy shrubs or hedges , it ’s gross for modest shrub like heather ( Callunavulgaris , Zones 4–7 ) or subshrubs like lavender ( Lavandulaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–10 ) . This trimmer can be used for many different chore ; I also use it to deadhead perennials and border my lawn . I have bump that the bursting charge lasts for hr , allowing me to cover my whole garden in one go .

Price:$55

Article image

— Stacie Crooksis the owner and principal designer at Crooks Garden Design in Seattle .

Scotts Cordless Grass - Shear / Shrub - Trimmer Combo

Your heavy-duty pruning needs are no match for this saw

Tested by Jeff Gillman

I ’ve used a mickle of creature over the years , but those I value the most are the I I can use for a wide variety of task in and around the garden and house . The DeWalt variable - speed cordless reciprocate power saw match the bill perfectly . This tool is n’t useful just for cutting 4×4 woodwind instrument or rebar ; it encounter each week , if not daily , use in the botanical garden where I work . you may fit a variety of blade to this visualise to foreshorten fallen branches or rationalize bigger limbs from trees in a pinch . It ’s tight , tough , well-heeled to use , and extremely various . As always , be sure to wear appropriate safety equipment when using this cock , as it is misleadingly powerful . you could grease one’s palms this saw either by itself or with a set of steel . The barrage fire and battery charger are sell one by one .

Price:$139 ( bare puppet ) ; $ 169 ( with set of blades )

Article image

— Jeff Gillman , author ofThe Truth About Organic Gardening , is the director of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens .

DeWalt Variable - Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw

DeWalt Variable - Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6 - Piece Saw Blade Set

Article image

Photos : good manners of the contributors

Get our belated tip , how - to article , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Article image

5 Cordless Power Tools for Easier Garden Maintenance This Summer

Essential Garden Tools for Spring

Basic Pruning Terms and Tools

Essential Tools for Pruning

Join Fine Gardening for a free engage hot webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical director …

When I spotted a finicky Baroness Dudevant one dollar bill cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delicious color pattern …

When we only prioritize plant we want over flora our landscape painting need , each season is fill with a never - end list of chores : pruning , pinching , lacrimation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

using hedge shears on ornamental grass

Photo: courtesy of Jason Reeves

Subscribe today and save up to 47%

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be deliberate when you enter the backyard of garden decorator Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to get off on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access member get more

Sign up for afree trialand get accession to ALL our regional substance , plus the ease of the member - only content library .

originate Free Trial

Article image

Photo: courtesy of Stacie Crooks

Get consummate site access to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the mark magazine publisher .

set out your FREE tribulation

Already a member?enter

Scotts cordless grass-shear/shrub-trimmer

Photo: courtesy of Stacie Crooks

Article image

cutting large branches with the DeWalt variable-speed cordless reciprocating saw

Photo: courtesy of Jeff Gillman

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Magazine Cover

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image