Which tool for cutting branches?

Hi all
Which tool for cutting branches?
I have cut the branches off a tree called a budlier I think.
In bloom it is very big with bright lilac flowers.
It was getting too big so I have cut it back.
Now I have lots of branches that need to be further cut so that I can take them to the local household waste.
I am using my garden manual saw just now but it is hard work.
Could you suggest a better tool? I fear electric tools so are there any strong hand tools that would do the job.
Many thanks
LG

 

I know you say you have a fear of electric tools, but with anything really thick whatever you use is gointg to be fairly hard work unless you've a bolt cutter.
I use my electric jig saw. I wear some garden gloves as added protection. It'll cut branches up to 3" thick and you can work in fairly confined spaces with one.
It's just a question of keeoping the cable away from the blade, I loop it over my shoulder.

 

Get a nice sharp bow saw and mind your fingers, failing that a pair of loppers if its only buddleia

http://shop.btcv.org.uk/shop/level3/20/level

 

For sawing once you've used a Silky you'll be so impressed you'll be looking for large trees to fell by hand. They're pull saws so need minimum effort and will go through large branches with ease. I use a Silky Zubat and a Silky Pocket Boy. Can't recommend these enough.

Zubat http://www.forestandarb.com/product348.html


Pocket Boy http://www.tools4thegarden.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=1748

 

Thank you all very much for your helpful replies.
I have spent a few hours breaking the samll barnches off by hand. It is very dry as I cut it down some two months ago.
I am now thinking of buying a chipping machine I have seen at one of the typical garden DIY places and maybe the saws you people have recommended too.
I imagine that a cheap chiping machine can cope with mopst of the small branches.
Regards
LG

 

Hi LikeGardens

No need to be afraid of power tools. They are perfectly safe if you follow the instructions. Wear goggles and gloves. Keep your work area clear. Make sure you have a good footing and keep any cables clear of the cutting area.

GOLDEN RULE. KEEP YOUR HANDS AND BODY BEHIND THE CUTTING EDGE.

If you still prefer not to use a power tool, then as others have said, some long handled loppers will do the job nicely. A Bow Saw with a good blade is relatively cheap to buy from most DIY stores.

Whichever way you choose. Always clean the tool after use and find a permanent home for it. If there are moving parts such as with a pair of loppers. Lightly oiling after use with protect the tool from rust and give you many years of good service. Too many people forget to look after the tools they use and are surprised when they break.

Hope you find a solution.

Chopper.

 

I've just hacked back two big budleias in mum in law's garden. I used long handled loppers for anything up to about the thickness of my thumb and a pruning saw (cuts on the pull rather than push) for the larger stuff. Finished the job with an electric chain saw.
Kept the thicker branches to provide fuel for our chiminea next year and fed the thinner stuff through a chipper and I'll use the chippings (5 big bags) to add to our compost bins and heap.

 

You refer to your budleia as a "Tree" - in which case you may want to cut it down further?

They respond really well being cut down to about 2' in early Spring - say February. They will send up long arching stalks, with flowers on, which you can cut down the following February. This way the maximum "branch" you will need to cut should only be an inch or so, and easily dealt with using loppers.

 

Thank you each and every one of you.
Your help is really much appreciated.
I have bought and used loppers and a pruning saw which is like a large folding knife.
They have worked very well and I am getting on with the job.
So I could use the big pieces for burning and chip the smaller peices thus saving a trip to the household waste..thanks again for that.
This is the first time I have had a garden and am enjoying inmemsely...good to have a place to ask questions.
Thanks again
LK