How to Use a Limb Lopper

Before using limb loppers, check that the blades are sharp. If the limb lopper needs sharpening, you may need professional assistance. You should also check for information on the best time of year to trim your particular tree.

Place the open teeth of the limb loppers over the branch you want to cut off. The limb lopper blades should be as close to the trunk or larger branch as possible. Squeeze the lopper handles together firmly. Prepare to have a clear place for the branch to fall, or have another person hold the end of the branch to lower it to the ground.

As the limb loppers close on the branch, continue squeezing the loppers closed until the branch is removed from the tree. If you are trying to use limb loppers on a very large branch, first approach the underside of the branch with the sharp side of the limb loppers. Make a cut that goes through the bark on the underside, but does not cut deeply into the branch. Gently release the limb loppers from the branch. Turn the loppers over and make a cut with the non-cutting blade of the loppers in the position where the cutting blade was previously. Squeeze the loppers shut until the branch is released from the tree. Using the limb loppers in this way for a larger branch prevents the weight of the branch from ripping the bark down the trunk and damaging the tree.

Trim trees in such a way as to open up the interior of the tree. If branches grow inward toward the center of the tree, trim them off. This allows air and light to better circulate through the tree, improving overall tree health. Trim low hanging or downward-pointing branches to avoid face and eye scrapes. Trimming in this manner will also open up the lower story, or ground under the tree, for improved planting beds in the deep shade around the trunk.