What is the difference between by-pass pruners and loppers and the anvil style of pruner and lopper?
Anvil style pruners and loppers have a straight blade that cuts the branch against a small anvil or block as the handles are squeezed. Anvil Style is usually used when pruning dead branches. By-pass pruners and loppers use a curved cutting blade that slides past a broader lower blade, much like a scissors. When pruning live branches they by-pass style is preferred to prevent unnecessary tearing or crushing of tissues, it is best to use a by-pass style pruner.