Find the best long-handled loppers for your garden as we put five loppers through their paces.
Arms up, and stretch. This is what many of us do in order to cut back those out-of-reach branches. Life can be made much easier by investing in some long-handled pruners, also known as loppers. No more will you have to precariously balance on tiptoe, or force a thick branch through the blades of your precious secateurs. Our home garden at Stockton Bury, near Leominster, is now 30 years old, so many of the climbing roses and shrubs are fully grown, making this the perfect place to test these pruners. I was able to pollard and coppice shrubs without a ladder, which meant the task could be done on my own. All the pruners I tested cut well, but in order to ensure that this is the case for the long term, it is vital that the blades are cleaned and oiled after every outing.
However fit you are, you will find using these pruners quite alien and heavy at first. Even though most are designed to be light, holding your arms up for a long period of time is not something most of us do that often. I would suggest you start by using them for short periods of time. Try to avoid using the pruners to cut through very thick branches, as you might damage the blades. All the manufacturers say these tools can cut branches up to at least 40mm in diameter, but I only tested them up to about 25mm – I think only a very strong person could cut through a branch of 40mm with these. It’s a good idea to learn when a pruning saw might be required instead.
Short & Sharp Lopper
The WOLF-Garten Power Cut Bypass Lopper RR650 is 650mm long and weighs 1kg. It is one of the shortest of the group, but still long enough to be of great use. The red plastic handgrips have non-slip grooves at the end, but not the soft cushioning that I prefer. It comes with shock absorbers and uses new cutting-head technology, which means that more power can be applied to the cut without the user needing to add any extra force. If you are lacking in strength, then this might well be a good option for you. A very neat tool, but the head is quite large, so it has a different type of cutting feel to the others, and is not perhaps ideal for very fine pruning work. The red-coloured handles are most sensible, as although large, you can still misplace the tool in a garden. A robust tool that’s good value for money. £49.99. Available from most garden centres.
Cushioned grip
The Felco 220 Bypass Lopper is exceptional in every way. It has a seriously sharp blade and fine looks. Weighing in at 1.3kg and measuring 800mm in length, it isn’t the lightest of the bunch, but offers good balance. The bypass cutting head, made of high-quality hardened steel, cuts through stems like a knife through butter. The cutting head opens wide, which really helps with the cutting action. I preferred its more beak-like blades, as it is easier to grab the branch you want to cut. I appreciated the slightly cushioned handgrips and the essential shock absorbers that are attached to the tubular aluminium alloy handles. I am a long-time fan of Felco, mainly because the cut is effortless and it is so easy to buy spare parts. A companion for life as it is sure to last. £169.99. Available from most garden centres.
For Fine Work
These Lowe 21.080 Loppers are designed for using over an extended period, and are the pick of many orchard owners. The high-quality blades have a nickel coating which protects against rust and stops debris sticking. I found these the best pair for very detailed, delicate pruning, and the smaller blades allowed me to push the cutting head right into a compact plant to cut an internal branch easily. They would be great for the summer pruning of apple trees. I would describe them as the pair you would use for gardening keyhole surgery. Measuring 800mm in length and weighing 1.12kg, these loppers come with shock absorbers and bright-orange handles, which are not cushioned. Lowe says they can cut branches up to 40mm in diameter. Spare parts are available, so you can rest assured that these pruners will last you for decades. £88.63. www.qualitygardentools.com
Telescopic Treat
For those who want to reach a little bit further, the Fiskars Smartfit Telescopic Lopper L86 is the answer. This is a new tool for 2014, and it allows you to extend the handles at the push of a button. This is really easy to do and needs no force or struggle, I promise. A well-balanced tool, but trickier to use when fully extended, as you would expect. The blades are flat at the head – I prefer pointed blades – and coated to make them non-stick, which helps with a clean cut. The handles are comfy, if not quite cushioned enough for me, but they do have a hanging hole in each, which is a great idea. All these tools are much safer stored hanging, and this is the only model that allows for this. The lopper weighs 1.28kg and measures 665-915mm in length. A good option for the domestic gardener. £49.99. Available from most garden centres.
Top Traditional Lopper
The Gold Cut Geared Bypass Loppers by Joseph Bentley have a blade made of titanium coating, which conjoins with the steel blade. The traditional-looking tool has quality wooden handles made of FSC certified oak. One of the shortest of the pruners at 660mm long, the loppers are still fairly heavy. They are not ideal for very fine pruning, but thanks to the geared technology of the cutting blade, it is claimed that this pair can cut wood up to 45mm in diameter. I appreciated the rubber-coated handles, as they will always be warm to the touch, so are ideal for those who don’t wear gloves. I found them a little too heavy for me at 1.52kg. I was tempted by the look of the pair, but their brown colour could make them hard to find in the garden. A good-looking and effective tool at a very sensible price. £26.99. Available from most garden centres.
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Products tested by Tamsin Westhorpe
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