6 Pruning Saws For Fruit Trees Old Farmers Swear By
A clean cut is key to a healthy fruit tree. This guide covers 6 pruning saws, from folding to pole saws, that seasoned farmers rely on for the job.
There’s a moment every winter when you stand before a dormant fruit tree, hand pruners in your pocket, and realize the job is bigger than you thought. Those one-inch branches from last year are now two inches thick, and a few larger limbs are crossing over, blocking light from the core of the tree. This is where a good pruning saw isn’t just a tool; it’s the key to your orchard’s future health and productivity.
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Choosing Saws: The Wisdom of Orchard Veterans
The biggest mistake is grabbing a standard carpenter’s saw from the workshop. Those saws are designed to cut on the push stroke, which can bind and tear green wood, leaving a ragged wound that invites disease. A proper pruning saw cuts on the pull stroke, giving you more control and a cleaner finish with less effort.
Think about the job at hand. Are you making a few large cuts on mature, neglected apple trees? A longer, fixed-blade saw offers stability and reach. Or are you constantly moving through a younger orchard, nipping out branches here and there? A high-quality folding saw that fits in your back pocket might be the perfect companion.
Don’t get bogged down by blade length alone. A longer blade can cut bigger limbs, but it can also be clumsy in the tight, crowded structure of a fruit tree. The sweet spot for most orchard work is a blade between 10 and 13 inches (25-33 cm). This size provides enough cutting power for substantial limbs without becoming unwieldy when you’re reaching into the tree’s canopy.
Finally, consider the teeth. Most modern pruning saws use a tri-edge or "turbo" tooth design, where each tooth is sharpened on three sides. This aggressive pattern removes wood quickly and efficiently. The key difference between saws often comes down to the quality of the steel and the precision of that grind.
Silky Zubat 330: Unmatched Japanese Precision
The Silky ZUBAT hand saw delivers efficient cutting with its aggressive curved blade and scraper-shaped teeth. Features include a durable scabbard with a 3D roller lock system and progressive teeth for smoother starts and rust resistance.
When you see a professional arborist at work, there’s a good chance a Silky saw is hanging from their belt. The Zubat is the standard-bearer, known for its incredibly fast and aggressive cut. The curved, 13-inch blade pulls itself into the wood, making quick work of limbs up to six inches or more.
The secret is the high-carbon Japanese steel and a unique tooth pattern that leaves a surprisingly smooth finish for such a fast-cutting saw. This isn’t a cheap tool, but it’s an investment. The Zubat is built for all-day use, with a comfortable rubber handle that absorbs vibration and provides a secure grip, even in wet conditions. It’s a fixed-blade saw that comes with a fantastic scabbard, making it easy to carry safely.
Corona RazorTOOTH: The Reliable Farm Workhorse
If the Silky is a scalpel, the Corona RazorTOOTH is the trusty farm knife. It’s affordable, widely available, and tough as nails. For the hobby farmer who needs a reliable tool that can handle annual pruning without a huge upfront cost, this is often the top recommendation.
The RazorTOOTH saws feature a similar three-sided tooth design that cuts efficiently on the pull stroke. They come in various sizes, but the 10-inch folding model is particularly useful for its balance of cutting power and portability. While the finish might not be quite as polished as a premium Japanese saw, it’s more than adequate for healthy healing. This is the go-to saw for getting the job done well without breaking the bank.
ARS CT-32PRO: A Sharp, Effortless Cutting Saw
ARS is another top-tier Japanese brand that focuses on surgical sharpness. The CT-32PRO, with its 12.6-inch blade, is a direct competitor to the Silky, but many orchardists find it has a slightly smoother, more controlled feel. It slices through wood with remarkable ease, leaving a perfectly clean cut that looks like it was sanded.
This level of precision is ideal for disease-prone trees like peaches or cherries, where a clean wound is critical for quick callusing. The blade is chrome-plated to resist rust and sap buildup, which is a significant advantage during long pruning sessions. If your priority is the absolute cleanest cut possible to promote tree health, the ARS is a formidable choice.
Felco 600 Folding Saw: Swiss Quality in Hand
Felco is famous for its hand pruners, and that same Swiss precision extends to their folding saws. The Felco 600 is a compact powerhouse. With a blade just under 6 inches, it won’t be your first choice for removing large, mature limbs, but it excels at everything else.
Think of it as the perfect companion to your hand pruners. It fits easily in a pocket and is ideal for cutting out branches in the 1-to-3-inch range that are just too big for loppers. The blade is incredibly sharp and resists binding, and the locking mechanism is simple and secure. For anyone managing a small collection of young trees, the Felco 600 might be the only saw you need.
Bahco Laplander: Durable Saw for Tough Pruning
Cut wood, plastic, or bone with ease using the Bahco Laplander Folding Saw. Its rust-protected blade and comfortable two-component handle provide a secure grip for any outdoor task.
The Bahco Laplander has a legendary reputation in the bushcraft and survival communities, but those same qualities make it an excellent pruning saw. Its specialty is durability. The blade is coated to prevent rust and reduce friction, and it’s designed to cut through both green and dead wood without complaining.
This saw is the perfect tool for tackling a neglected orchard. When you have to clear out years of dead, hardened growth alongside living branches, the Laplander’s rugged versatility shines. It may not be the fastest or smoothest cutter on this list, but it is exceptionally tough and reliable. It’s a no-nonsense tool for tough jobs.
Fiskars PowerTooth: Comfort for Big Limb Jobs
Pruning can be hard on the body, especially when you have more than a few trees to get through. Fiskars has always prioritized ergonomics, and their PowerTooth saws are a testament to that. The handles are designed to be comfortable and reduce fatigue, which makes a real difference at the end of a long day.
The PowerTooth saws are aggressive cutters, fully capable of handling large limbs. The larger 15-inch fixed-blade model is a beast for major renovation pruning on old, overgrown trees. While they may not have the refined feel of a Japanese saw, they offer fantastic performance and comfort for the price. If you find other saws cause hand or wrist strain, give a Fiskars a try.
Saw Care: Keeping Your Pruning Tools Sharp
A great saw is only great if it’s sharp and clean. The most important maintenance task is cleaning the blade after every use. Tree sap can build up, causing the blade to drag and stick in the cut. A rag with some rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits is all you need to wipe it clean.
Proper storage is just as crucial. A wet saw left in a bucket will rust overnight, dulling the teeth and weakening the steel. Always dry your saw completely and store it in a dry place. For folding saws, make sure the blade is closed; for fixed saws, always use the scabbard it came with.
Most of these high-quality saws have replaceable blades. While some can be sharpened with a specialized file, it’s often more practical and effective to simply buy a new blade every few seasons. It’s a small investment that restores your saw to factory-new performance and ensures you’re always making clean, healthy cuts for your trees.
Choosing the right saw comes down to matching the tool to your specific orchard and work style. Whether it’s a precise Japanese blade for perfect cuts or a rugged workhorse for reclaiming an old tree, the right saw makes pruning faster, safer, and better for your trees. A sharp tool honors the tree and the work, ensuring a healthy harvest for years to come.
