What tool maintenance prevents disease?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Tool maintenance affects the health of a tree. I traced a client's fire blight outbreak that spread from contaminated shears. Now, I disinfect my shears with 70% alcohol after every cut. Dull blades tear the bark and create entry points for pathogens, so I sharpen my blades weekly during active pruning months with a diamond file to ensure a precision edge.
Daily Practices
- Disinfect tools between trees with 70% alcohol
- Wipe sap using vegetable oil and steel wool
- Inspect blades for nicks after 40 cuts
Seasonal Tasks
- Sharpen blades at 25° angle weekly
- Oil pivot points with food-grade lubricant
- Replace files when sharpening takes 2x longer
Annual Replacements
- Swap worn blades showing 2mm gaps
- Install new springs with corrosion spots
- Retire shears after 5 seasons of heavy use
The humidity of your area will drive your storage options. While my clients in Florida store their tools in airtight cases along with silica packs, arborists in Arizona use breathable canvas rolls to store their tools. Should you be in an area where subzero temperatures are common, coat your tools in wax-based oil before you store them for the winter. Always test the sharpness of blades by cutting a piece of paper with it -- it should cut the paper and not tear it.
Humid Regions
- Daily: Wipe condensation from metal
- Weekly: Apply corrosion inhibitor
- Storage: Use rechargeable dehumidifiers
Arid Zones
- Lubricate: 2x monthly to prevent grit damage
- Sharpen: Every 6 hours of use
- Handle Care: Oil leather grips biweekly
Cold Climates
- Pre-winter: Coat blades in petroleum jelly
- Storage: Insulate with closed-cell foam
- Thawing: Wipe ice before sharpening
When cuts require more force than expected, it's time to pick a new blade. A client still has cherries infected with cytospora canker because the particular shears we were using previously had burred edges (found after the fact). I'm a pretty organized person and maintain my spare parts to make the process more efficient. I sort any spare horticultural part or tool into an old tackle box, obviously labeled for future jobs on film.
Read the full article: How to Prune Fruit Trees: A Step-by-Step Guide
