I read some of your wishes on the other thread and wanted to make some suggestions.

I can understand Felco pruners being on a number of lists and agree that they are essential. But interestingly enough, I have a tool that has replaced my Felcos for 99% of my needs. It's a pair of what I have dubbed "my snippies".

They are very lightweight and short so they fit in my pockets easily, and they can cut anything up to and including 1/3"+ branches. I use them for everything shrub and perennial(plus small tree branches), just not thick tree branches. I keep one pair inside , to do indoor plant pruning and cut-flower arranging, and 3 pairs outside. They are made by Florian Tools in Ct. and here is a link. Florian is having a sale now too!

http://www.floriantools.com/P-450.html

This is my 'desert island w/ one gardening tool' pick!

Mindy's "snippies" = 'Florian Fine Nose Hand Pruner '

Also, Annette, Florian's large ratchet loppers are excellent (we have both lg.sizes) and the ratchet concept saves you from having to have alot of arm strength. The tool actually does it all itself.All you do is hold one handle steady and lever the other handle up and down, while the ratchet blade closes down on the branch and cuts cleanly through it.

The loppers are expensive but I can't tell you how thrilled we have been w/ them these last 5 yrs.They will be with us through a lifetime of gardening, as will our felcos and snippies. Like any great tool, always a wise investment. Everyone I know who has not sprung for a great tool, after they finally do buy one, they are kicking themselves for not doing it sooner.

maxi lopper http://www.floriantools.com/RL201.html we use this one the most

minilopper http://www.floriantools.com/RL101.html

long handled shears :

http://www.floriantools.com/HS-K900Z.html

we use these for ornamental grasses, large stands of iris, peonies, or other perennial swaths.

PrMoon, here in Ma. you can get welded iron Obelisks (round and square) from a garden store in holliston ma. and I have also found them at Homegoods! They are made in mexico, and i have also seen them in a gardening store in wilton ct. and at brimfield.In fact, if hit at the right time, HG can be a really great source for gardening decorations and structures. Mahoney's Winchester too.

best, mindyI read some of your wishes on the other thread and wanted to make some suggestions.

I can understand Felco pruners being on a number of lists and agree that they are essential. But interestingly enough, I have a tool that has replaced my Felcos for 99% of my needs. Its a pair of what I have dubbed "snippies".

They are very lightweight and short so they fit in my pockets easily, and they can cut anything up to and including 1/4"+ branches. I keep one pair inside to do indoor plant pruning and cut flower arranging, and 3 pairs outside!! They are made by Florian Tools in Ct. and here is a link.

Also, Annette, their ratchet pruners are excellent (we have both lg.sizes) and the ratchet concept saves you from having to have alot of arm strength.

PrMoon, here in Ma. you can get welded iron Obelisks (round and square)dependably from a gardening store in holliston ma. and I have also found them at Homegoods(HG)! In fact, HG, if hit at the right time, can be a really great source for gardening decorations and useful things alike.

best,

Mindy aka Ms.Snippy!

The Cotton-Arbo retum