Dan Evert's Pruning Tool Belt

Member Dan Everts shares his ‘always pruning’ arsenal of tools to assist with pruning tasks

Identified from top to bottom left in the above photo, these are the tools Dan keeps on hand:

• Top: Small electrician's tool belt

• To the right of the tool belt: Small container of hand sanitizer to help sterilize clippers after cutting diseased wood

• Just underneath the tool belt: Felco folding saw

• Line of four tools, far left: Standard Felco pruner

• Line of four tools, second from left: Needle nose ARS pruner

• Line of four tools, second from right: Concave Clippers (used on rare occasions for more detailed work)

• Line of four tools, far right: Weeding needle (snag those weeds when you’re under the tree)

• Bottom: Small cordless sawzall with wood pruning blade for larger cuts.

Says Dan, "Don’t let age or strength prevent you from achieving your goals! There are cordless pruning clippers that can be helpful for those with limited grip strength or arthritis.:

When is the best time to prune?

In his Pacific Northwest region, Dan does most of his pruning after the new leaves have emerged in early May. He usually does a second round of cleanup in early June. After that, he'll just clean up wild growth spurts as needed. Larger pruning/editing is typically done during the dormant season, i.e., December – February.

Below: Dan's tool belt, loaded and ready to go!