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Pruning roses or removing dead wood: Why the type of pruning and your goal determine whether an anvil, bypass, or hybrid pruner is the right choice
Which pruning shears are right for when? A guide to pruning seasons, trimming, and shrub care
Flintbek, 03.11.2026 (PresseBox) - Anvil, bypass, or hybrid? If you want to prune roses, hedges, fruit trees, and other shrubs, you shouldn?t just focus on the right time of year. It?s equally important to consider which tool is best suited for the plant and the type of pruning you plan to do.
There?s something to prune in the garden almost all year round. In the spring, roses and shrubs put out new growth. In the summer, faded blooms and unwanted shoots are removed. Fall brings additional maintenance tasks, while in winter and late winter, many fruit trees need to be pruned back.
But not all pruning is the same. A young rose shoot places different demands on the tool than dry, old wood. Likewise, a thin, fresh twig cannot be compared to a sturdy branch. Before you begin, these three quick questions can help:
Is the wood fresh or dry?
Is this a light maintenance pruning or a heavy-duty pruning?
Should living plant tissue be cut cleanly, or should dead material be removed?
Anvil pruners for tough and dry wood
Anvil pruners are particularly suitable for hard, dry or older wood. With this cutting principle, a sharp blade strikes a solid base. This allows the applied force to be transferred effectively, and the so-called ?cutting impact? ? as seen with bypass pruners ? is completely eliminated here.
This is especially helpful when removing dead branches, pruning back old shoots and tackling heavier pruning tasks. Here, the focus is less on making a particularly fine cut on delicate greenery and more on controlled force and reliable cutting.
Bypass pruners for fresh and delicate shoots
Bypass pruners are the ideal choice for fresh, green, and delicate plant material. The blade and counter blade glide past each other, creating a clean, smooth cut.
This principle is suitable, for example, for roses, young shoots, fibrous bark and work close to the stem. A clean cut is especially important for living plant tissue, as it promotes optimal wound healing in the plant. Even though Original Loewe (Original LÖWE) anvil pruning shears no longer cause the same crushing as bypass pruners, the myth persists. Sharp blades are always crucial for clean cuts.
Hybrid pruning shears combine power and control
Hybrid pruning shears combine the characteristics of both cutting principles. They can be useful when cutting sturdier branches and precise control is important.
This applies, for example, to harder wood with a larger diameter or to situations where the branch should deflect as little as possible during the cut. The pruners then combine good power transfer with additional control.
How the season influences tool selection
The season also provides an initial guide. In the spring, tasks often include pruning roses, summer-blooming shrubs and initial maintenance pruning. A sharp, clean-cutting pair of garden pruners protects young shoots from unnecessary damage.
In summer, the focus is usually on light shaping and maintenance pruning, removing spent blooms, or trimming new growth. In fall, the focus shifts more toward hedges, ornamental shrubs and preparatory maintenance work.
In winter and late winter, the crowns, older structures, and dead branches of many woody plants are particularly easy to spot. Whether pruning should actually be done, however, always depends on the specific plant species and suitable, preferably frost-free conditions.
Consider nature conservation when pruning woody plants
For more severe pruning, applicable nature conservation regulations must also be observed. In Germany, there are time restrictions on cutting back and severely pruning hedges, shrubs and other woody plants.
Gentle shaping and maintenance pruning are generally still permitted. However, before each pruning, you should check whether birds or other animals are using the plant as a nesting site or refuge.
Choose the right tool for the job
Original Loewe (Original LÖWE), a brand of Gebr. Schroeder GmbH, categorizes its pruning shears not only by model series but also by their respective applications. Among other things, the company distinguishes between quick cuts (?FAST CUT?), particularly easy cutting (?EASY CUT?), powerful work (?POWER CUT?) and exceptionally clean cuts (?CLEAN CUT?).
For gardeners, this classification is above all a practical aid. Instead of automatically reaching for the usual standard pruners, you can select the tool that best suits the task at hand.
As a rule of thumb:
Hard, dry, sturdy or older wood is better suited for an anvil pruner.
Fresh, green and delicate material is usually best cut with a bypass pruner.
When both power and precise control are required, hybrid pruners may be the best choice.
Regardless of the cutting mechanism, a well-maintained tool makes the job easier. Clean, sharp blades, regular maintenance and dry storage not only ensure better cutting results but also help keep your pruning shears in good working order.
And if a part does wear out or break, Original Loewe (Original LÖWE) offers a comprehensive range of replacement parts for all its pruner, ensuring your favorite pruner will last for a long time to come.
Gebr. Schröder GmbH | Original LÖWE
*Original LÖWE ? The Inventor of the Anvil pruning shears*
Since 1923, Original LÖWE, a brand of Gebr. Schröder GmbH, has stood for quality, innovation, and tradition in professional cutting tools. As the inventor of the anvil pruning shears, we have been developing and manufacturing distinctive shears designed for long-term use and repairability for more than a century. Our tools are used worldwide by professionals in horticulture, viticulture, and fruit growing, as well as in industry and the trades.
*Made in Germany ? since 1923*
Our pruners and cutters are manufactured in our own production facilities in Germany. We rely on precise manufacturing techniques, high-quality materials, and decades of experience to produce robust and precise cutting tools built to last. Original LÖWE stands for precise craftsmanship and tools that meet the highest standards.
Today, we employ around 60 people, collaborate with partners from social institutions, and produce over 100 different models ? from all-purpose shears to specialty shears. Our tools are used in over 100 countries worldwide.
*Innovation Meets Tradition*
From the first anvil pruners to modern hybrid models, our products combine proven technology with modern engineering. We continuously refine our models in close collaboration with users. This results in solutions that enable efficient and effort-saving work.
*Thoughtfully Designed Down to the Last Detail*
Whether it?s professional pruners for continuous use or our new high-quality wooden handles ? every detail of our tools is carefully considered. Our products combine precise cutting performance, ergonomic design, repairability, and meticulous craftsmanship. Anyone who has ever worked with an Original LÖWE pruning shears an d cutters can tell the difference.
*Corporate Responsibility*
As a third-generation family-owned business, we place great importance on social responsibility. The electricity we source externally for our manufacturing operations at our Flintbek facility comes from renewable energy sources; the corresponding certifications are documented annually. In addition, we generate electricity using our own photovoltaic system.
Our tools are designed for long-term use and are repairable. Replacement parts are available for wear-and-tear components, even for older models. This means that many Original LÖWE tools can be repaired and continue to be used as needed.
*Original LÖWE ? Precision That Inspires*
Our cutting tools stand for quality, performance, and tradition. Discover the world of Original LÖWE and experience precise cutting technology developed and manufactured in-house.
*Because nature connects us.*
With the Original LÖWE-natural sub-brand, we focus on carefully selected natural materials and clearly defined product features: ergonomically shaped wooden handles, packaging made of uncoated cardboard without plastic film, and paper cable ties with a recycled and biodegradable fastener. The choice of materials and the design geared toward long-term use define the unique character of this product line.
There?s something to prune in the garden almost all year round. In the spring, roses and shrubs put out new growth. In the summer, faded blooms and unwanted shoots are removed. Fall brings additional maintenance tasks, while in winter and late winter, many fruit trees need to be pruned back.
But not all pruning is the same. A young rose shoot places different demands on the tool than dry, old wood. Likewise, a thin, fresh twig cannot be compared to a sturdy branch. Before you begin, these three quick questions can help:
Is the wood fresh or dry?
Is this a light maintenance pruning or a heavy-duty pruning?
Should living plant tissue be cut cleanly, or should dead material be removed?
Anvil pruners for tough and dry wood
Anvil pruners are particularly suitable for hard, dry or older wood. With this cutting principle, a sharp blade strikes a solid base. This allows the applied force to be transferred effectively, and the so-called ?cutting impact? ? as seen with bypass pruners ? is completely eliminated here.
This is especially helpful when removing dead branches, pruning back old shoots and tackling heavier pruning tasks. Here, the focus is less on making a particularly fine cut on delicate greenery and more on controlled force and reliable cutting.
Bypass pruners for fresh and delicate shoots
Bypass pruners are the ideal choice for fresh, green, and delicate plant material. The blade and counter blade glide past each other, creating a clean, smooth cut.
This principle is suitable, for example, for roses, young shoots, fibrous bark and work close to the stem. A clean cut is especially important for living plant tissue, as it promotes optimal wound healing in the plant. Even though Original Loewe (Original LÖWE) anvil pruning shears no longer cause the same crushing as bypass pruners, the myth persists. Sharp blades are always crucial for clean cuts.
Hybrid pruning shears combine power and control
Hybrid pruning shears combine the characteristics of both cutting principles. They can be useful when cutting sturdier branches and precise control is important.
This applies, for example, to harder wood with a larger diameter or to situations where the branch should deflect as little as possible during the cut. The pruners then combine good power transfer with additional control.
How the season influences tool selection
The season also provides an initial guide. In the spring, tasks often include pruning roses, summer-blooming shrubs and initial maintenance pruning. A sharp, clean-cutting pair of garden pruners protects young shoots from unnecessary damage.
In summer, the focus is usually on light shaping and maintenance pruning, removing spent blooms, or trimming new growth. In fall, the focus shifts more toward hedges, ornamental shrubs and preparatory maintenance work.
In winter and late winter, the crowns, older structures, and dead branches of many woody plants are particularly easy to spot. Whether pruning should actually be done, however, always depends on the specific plant species and suitable, preferably frost-free conditions.
Consider nature conservation when pruning woody plants
For more severe pruning, applicable nature conservation regulations must also be observed. In Germany, there are time restrictions on cutting back and severely pruning hedges, shrubs and other woody plants.
Gentle shaping and maintenance pruning are generally still permitted. However, before each pruning, you should check whether birds or other animals are using the plant as a nesting site or refuge.
Choose the right tool for the job
Original Loewe (Original LÖWE), a brand of Gebr. Schroeder GmbH, categorizes its pruning shears not only by model series but also by their respective applications. Among other things, the company distinguishes between quick cuts (?FAST CUT?), particularly easy cutting (?EASY CUT?), powerful work (?POWER CUT?) and exceptionally clean cuts (?CLEAN CUT?).
For gardeners, this classification is above all a practical aid. Instead of automatically reaching for the usual standard pruners, you can select the tool that best suits the task at hand.
As a rule of thumb:
Hard, dry, sturdy or older wood is better suited for an anvil pruner.
Fresh, green and delicate material is usually best cut with a bypass pruner.
When both power and precise control are required, hybrid pruners may be the best choice.
Regardless of the cutting mechanism, a well-maintained tool makes the job easier. Clean, sharp blades, regular maintenance and dry storage not only ensure better cutting results but also help keep your pruning shears in good working order.
And if a part does wear out or break, Original Loewe (Original LÖWE) offers a comprehensive range of replacement parts for all its pruner, ensuring your favorite pruner will last for a long time to come.
Gebr. Schröder GmbH | Original LÖWE
*Original LÖWE ? The Inventor of the Anvil pruning shears*
Since 1923, Original LÖWE, a brand of Gebr. Schröder GmbH, has stood for quality, innovation, and tradition in professional cutting tools. As the inventor of the anvil pruning shears, we have been developing and manufacturing distinctive shears designed for long-term use and repairability for more than a century. Our tools are used worldwide by professionals in horticulture, viticulture, and fruit growing, as well as in industry and the trades.
*Made in Germany ? since 1923*
Our pruners and cutters are manufactured in our own production facilities in Germany. We rely on precise manufacturing techniques, high-quality materials, and decades of experience to produce robust and precise cutting tools built to last. Original LÖWE stands for precise craftsmanship and tools that meet the highest standards.
Today, we employ around 60 people, collaborate with partners from social institutions, and produce over 100 different models ? from all-purpose shears to specialty shears. Our tools are used in over 100 countries worldwide.
*Innovation Meets Tradition*
From the first anvil pruners to modern hybrid models, our products combine proven technology with modern engineering. We continuously refine our models in close collaboration with users. This results in solutions that enable efficient and effort-saving work.
*Thoughtfully Designed Down to the Last Detail*
Whether it?s professional pruners for continuous use or our new high-quality wooden handles ? every detail of our tools is carefully considered. Our products combine precise cutting performance, ergonomic design, repairability, and meticulous craftsmanship. Anyone who has ever worked with an Original LÖWE pruning shears an d cutters can tell the difference.
*Corporate Responsibility*
As a third-generation family-owned business, we place great importance on social responsibility. The electricity we source externally for our manufacturing operations at our Flintbek facility comes from renewable energy sources; the corresponding certifications are documented annually. In addition, we generate electricity using our own photovoltaic system.
Our tools are designed for long-term use and are repairable. Replacement parts are available for wear-and-tear components, even for older models. This means that many Original LÖWE tools can be repaired and continue to be used as needed.
*Original LÖWE ? Precision That Inspires*
Our cutting tools stand for quality, performance, and tradition. Discover the world of Original LÖWE and experience precise cutting technology developed and manufactured in-house.
*Because nature connects us.*
With the Original LÖWE-natural sub-brand, we focus on carefully selected natural materials and clearly defined product features: ergonomically shaped wooden handles, packaging made of uncoated cardboard without plastic film, and paper cable ties with a recycled and biodegradable fastener. The choice of materials and the design geared toward long-term use define the unique character of this product line.