What tools and why

by Nick Waters

I have been clipping topiary for around 30 years – and around six of those professionally. Over time, my choice in tools has changed. There are a lot of tools available for the budding topiarist, it can seem somewhat overwhelming. There are only three types I use regularly; a good pair of topiary shears, a pair of topiary clippers and a battery powered hedge trimmer.

There are of course variations of each, and some are more suitable for particular jobs than others. For example, my Makita DUH601 battery trimmer has a choice of three blade speeds, the fastest of which is excellent for box clipping. This machine has become very popular with topiarists around the UK and has proven to be a reliable machine and valuable addition. I tend to use this on larger buxus including hedging and fine finishing on taxus. For more coarse or general hedging work I use my long reach Stihl HLA66 and HLA86 machines which have a slightly more robust blade and of course a much longer reach. Due to it’s slower blade speed I don’t use it on box, or very tightly clipped yew – it’s great for pleached hornbeam however.

For smaller box or taxus topiary work I tend to use either Okatsune 216 Shears or the ARS KR-1000 shears, the latter being my more regular choice. It is very much personal preference, some other topiarists I know prefer the Okatsune. For finishing off fine detailing I often use my Niwaki GR Pro topiary clippers, ideal for those tight angles and spaces.

As with all tools, it is vital to keep them clean and sharp! I use sharpening stones and a clean mate from Niwaki with a drop of Camellia oil afterwards.

Happy clipping…