Well, now is the time of year to cut out old stems from many shrubs,
especially when they have been neglected for a while. I have spent
3 days doing that on one shrub.

Well, it is a 20+ year old hazel ....


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...

Well, now is the time of year to cut out old stems from many shrubs,
especially when they have been neglected for a while. I have spent
3 days doing that on one shrub.

Well, it is a 20+ year old hazel ....


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.



I am at the moment struggling with a very big and old Pyracantha, brambles
have grown up thro it which has made matter`s worse, says she reaching for
another packet of sticking plasters. sigh

kate

On 28 Jan, 12:18, "Kate Morgan" wrote:
I am at the moment struggling with a very big and old Pyracantha, brambles
have grown up thro it which has made matter`s worse, says she reaching for
another packet of sticking plasters. sigh

You two must be spychic or something ... I have a very large buddleia
and I couldn't squeeze my secateur around its branches yesterday. I
abandonned all work after takling my hawthorn (I know I'm a bit late
but I need to clear lots of inside branches along with some seeking
the sun and therefore badly twisting).

So I'm looking for the first time for some ratchet, but then I should
perhaps go for a bypass one ... I just don't know anymore. I've pruned
for so long with secateurs given to me as presents, and there is the
problem now. So I could do with a nice present to myself. Any
suggestions - oh, very petite hands here.

Pass us a plaster Kate, you're a love ... ;o)

wrote in message
...
On 28 Jan, 12:18, "Kate Morgan" wrote:
I am at the moment struggling with a very big and old Pyracantha,
brambles
have grown up thro it which has made matter`s worse, says she reaching
for
another packet of sticking plasters. sigh

You two must be spychic or something ... I have a very large buddleia
and I couldn't squeeze my secateur around its branches yesterday. I
abandonned all work after takling my hawthorn (I know I'm a bit late
but I need to clear lots of inside branches along with some seeking
the sun and therefore badly twisting).

So I'm looking for the first time for some ratchet, but then I should
perhaps go for a bypass one ... I just don't know anymore. I've pruned
for so long with secateurs given to me as presents, and there is the
problem now. So I could do with a nice present to myself. Any
suggestions - oh, very petite hands here.

Pass us a plaster Kate, you're a love ... ;o)



LOL pity you are not near me we could help each other. I have some long
handled ratchet thingy's and find them very good, cannot remember where I
bought them, local farmers shop I think, well worth having some.

In article ,
writes:
| On 28 Jan, 12:18, "Kate Morgan" wrote:
| I am at the moment struggling with a very big and old Pyracantha, brambles
| have grown up thro it which has made matter`s worse, says she reaching for
| another packet of sticking plasters. sigh
|
| You two must be spychic or something ... I have a very large buddleia
| and I couldn't squeeze my secateur around its branches yesterday. I
| abandonned all work after takling my hawthorn (I know I'm a bit late
| but I need to clear lots of inside branches along with some seeking
| the sun and therefore badly twisting).
|
| So I'm looking for the first time for some ratchet, but then I should
| perhaps go for a bypass one ... I just don't know anymore. I've pruned
| for so long with secateurs given to me as presents, and there is the
| problem now. So I could do with a nice present to myself. Any
| suggestions - oh, very petite hands here.
|
| Pass us a plaster Kate, you're a love ... ;o)

You shouldn't need too many of those for a mere buddleia - and what
you need for a pyracantha is liquid anaesthetic and gouging needles
(which is why I got rid of mine). Hawthorn does scratch rather, I
agree, but rarely deeply enough that I bother with plasters - I just
drip :-)

More seriously, I suggest not bothering with a ratchet device.
You need a two-handled pruner, yes, which will cut up to 1"-1.5"
(depending on variety). Above that, it is generally easier to
move to a pruning or bow saw. I was, of course, using a bow saw,
as my hazel stems were up to 8" across.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On 28 Jan, 21:36, (Nick Maclaren) wrote:
You shouldn't need too many of those for a mere buddleia - and what
you need for a pyracantha is liquid anaesthetic and gouging needles
(which is why I got rid of mine). *Hawthorn does scratch rather, I
agree, but rarely deeply enough that I bother with plasters - I just
drip :-)

So manly ... faint

More seriously, I suggest not bothering with a ratchet device.
You need a two-handled pruner, yes, which will cut up to 1"-1.5"
(depending on variety). *Above that, it is generally easier to
move to a pruning or bow saw. *I was, of course, using a bow saw,
as my hazel stems were up to 8" across.

Two handled pruner it is then. I have a little saw, smart folding
thing, which I often use. But it's over 1" that I'd like to use a
secateur and perhaps above 1.5" using the two handled pruner device
you've suggested. Perfect. Thank you.

On 28 Jan, 21:24, "Kate Morgan" wrote:
LOL * pity you are not near me we could help each other. I have some long
handled ratchet thingy's and find them very good, cannot remember where I
bought them, local farmers shop I think, well worth having some.

Oh, I don't mind climbing to prune but the ratchet action sounds so
good - I immagine using those long handled ratchet is effortless,
minus the thorns pains off course ) I'll look into those as well.
Thank you.

On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:27:06 -0800 (PST), wrote:


So I'm looking for the first time for some ratchet, but then I should
perhaps go for a bypass one ... I just don't know anymore. I've pruned
for so long with secateurs given to me as presents, and there is the
problem now. So I could do with a nice present to myself. Any
suggestions - oh, very petite hands here.

I suggest loppers. I use mine for all twigs thicker than 3/4 inch and tidy up the thinner
bits with secateurs. I wish I bought some ages ago.
Kath