Trees are a beautiful part of any garden landscape. Whether your trees are fruit bearing, flowering or providing natural shade, you’ll likely need to trim them occasionally. Tree loppers are handy for trimming back those low hanging or overgrown areas. You can also use a tree lopper to snip and shape thicker stems and branches. Plus, the best tree loppers are great for tackling those bigger cutting jobs that aren’t meant for pruning shears.
Besides, it’s important to take care of trees. One long-term project that saw nearly 50,000 trees planted over three decades in Portland, Oregon shows a significant correlation between overall health and longevity among the surrounding population. Between 1990 and 2019, an Oregon-based campaign called Friends of Trees added 49,246 trees to Portland’s streets— keeping a record of where and when they did so. The team looked at the number of trees planted in a specific area with ~4,000 people living in it over the last five to 15 years. Using data from the Oregon Health Authority, they compared the data with mortality due to cardiovascular, respiratory or non-accidental causes of death in that area.
Findings show neighborhoods with more planted trees had lower mortality rates, with statistically significant findings for cardiovascular and non-accidental causes of death, especially for men and those 65 or older. The relationship was stronger with trees planted 11 to15 years beforehand, demonstrating double the effect in reducing death rates compared to those planted within one to five years. This means that planting trees is important, but preserving and taking care of existing trees may be especially crucial.
If you’re ready to add a tree lopper to your landscaping tool set, StudyFinds trimmed down the choices for you. We’ve got a list of the top five tree lopper brands from ten expert websites, to find the best tree loppers. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below!
The List: Best Tree Loppers, According to Reviews
1. Fiskars 28″ Steel Blade Garden Bypass Lopper
Fiskars kicks off our list with a tree lopper that’s a reviewer favorite. “This tool comes with wide jaws, allowing you to cut branches up to 1.5-inches thick. The extended 28-inch handles give you plenty of control over the tool and loads of leverage for a quick, clean cut that seems effortless,” according to GardenBeast.
Architecture Lab notes, “the blades are rust-resistant, which makes them ideal for handling different conditions. And it’s backed up by the low friction coating that provides the much-needed smoothness on most tasks.”
“Thanks to padded grips on the handles, this tool is comfortable to hold for an extended period,” adds The Spruce. This lopper won’t take a big bite out of your budget either. So consider it an affordable option.
2. Spear & Jackson 8290RS Razorsharp Advance Heavy Duty Telescopic Ratchet Anvil Lopper
If you want a tool to tackle those harder to reach areas, this is a great choice. The handles on this lopper extend to about 32 inches. Gardens Illustrated points out, “the blade moves in short, sharp steps, which gives it the cutting power to slice through branches up to 5cm in diameter.”
BackyardStyle.com calls these the ‘Best Loppers with Telescopic Handles’, noting the “handles are made of extremely durable aluminum and the handles themselves also have very soft, non-slip grips.”
ElectronicsHub adds, “the Anvil blade is prepared from soft metal to prevent damage to the cutting blade. Furthermore, it is serrated to prevent the branch from getting twisted.” Just keep in mind, at a little over four pounds, this lopper does weigh more than some of its competitors.
3. TABOR TOOLS GG12A Professional 30″ Compound Action Anvil Lopper
This tree lopper from TABOR TOOLS scores high praise for its cutting action. “The compound action system features multiple pivot points, lending the blades three times as much cutting force,” notes Minneopa Orchards.
Bob Vila suggests, “this is a decent set of loppers for cutting dry wood. At 3.5 pounds, the Tabor loppers are well suited for use overhead without too much wrist and arm fatigue for an average user.”
“The TABOR TOOLS Anvil Lopper has efficient compound cutting action, replaceable blades, and the ergonomic handle design. This lopper is best for homeowners, especially those with limited strength, who want a comfortable tool that will last for years,” according to BackyardDigs.
4. Kings County Tools Double Ratcheting Anvil Lopper
The Spruce crowns this lopper ‘Best Overall’, for “its heavy-duty craftsmanship and powerful cutting force. With a cutting capacity of up to 2.5 inches, the wide jaws can cut thick branches with ease. Thanks to the ratcheting mechanism, the cutting force increases each time you pump on the handles.”
Architecture Lab notes, “it includes a rubber grip to reduce fatigue, ensuring you can work for extended periods. You get a smooth performance with a maximum extension of up to 40 inches, which is significantly higher than other models.”
“If you are in search of a lifetime quality tool for trimming tree branches, this lopper is a good solution. For any kind of heavy work, this tool is a recommended choice. It can work flawlessly for trimming dry wood,” adds ElectronicsHub.
5. Corona Compound Action Anvil Lopper 32″
Rounding out our top five, is a lopper will make trimming trees and hedges a breeze. GardenBeast notes, the design “has a more robust and industrial look, with long red 32-inch handles and rubberized grips. This lopper has a 1.5-inch cutting capacity, with PTFE-coated, non-stick carbon steel blades, and anvil.”
“At just over 2.5 pounds, these long loppers are still relatively light, and their length will definitely give you that added leverage for pruning your branches,” suggests BackyardStyle.com.
Homesthetics points out, “the parts of this product are easily replaceable. From the anvil to the blades, one can get all the parts online. Gone are the days when a malfunctioning part meant having to buy a whole new tool.”
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Sources:
- GardenBeast
- Architecture Lab
- The Spruce
- Gardens Illustrated
- BackyardStyle.com
- ElectronicsHub
- Minneopa Orchards
- Bob Vila
- BackyardDigs
- Homesthetics
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.