Averruncator

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Selection of averruncators from 1560, Rustkammer museum, Dresden Selection of averruncators from 1560, Rustkammer museum, Dresden.jpg
Selection of averruncators from 1560, Rustkammer museum, Dresden
Fig.1 shows the handle and head of an averruncator. Fig. 2 shows the head in use. Averruncator.png
Fig.1 shows the handle and head of an averruncator. Fig. 2 shows the head in use.

An averruncator is a form of long shears used in arboriculture for averruncating or pruning off the higher branches of trees, etc. [1] [2]

Contents

Etymology

The word averruncate (from Latin averruncare, "to ward off, remove mischief") glided into meaning to weed the ground, prune vines, etc., by a supposed derivation from the Lat. ab, "off", and eruncare, "to weed out", and it was spelt aberuncate to suit this; but the New English Dictionary regarded such a derivation as impossible. [1]

Description

An averruncator has a compound blade attached to a handle between five and eight feet long. The blades are closed with a rope and pulley, and they are opened with a spring.

Types

There are at least three varieties of this tool, depending on how force is transmitted to the blades or the blade shape: shear-action, pully-action and parrot-bill. [3] [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 Chisholm 1911.
  2. Sanecki, Kay N. (1987). Old Garden Tools (2nd ed.). Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom: Shire Publications. p. 15. Retrieved 2022-05-08 via OpenLibrary.
  3. Rose, Graham (1993). The Traditional Garden Book (Paperback) (1st ed.). London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 68. ISBN   0-7513-0093-4 . Retrieved 2022-05-08 via OpenLibrary.
  4. "What are the Most Common Gardening Tools?" . Retrieved 2023-09-21.