It was just over two weeks ago that Skip pruned back the ornamental grass and look how much it's grown since then. If we'd waited to trim this back, we'd either have to cut off or prune around all these new tips. Part of the challenge of pruning is making sure you're using the right equipment. My favorite tool for a job like this is a pair of by-pass pruners. They work like scissors, and are great for lightweight to moderate pruning chores.
Anvil pruners are good for work on woodier plants.
Whatever type of pruner you choose, it has to be very sharp to make a clean cut. On woody plants, you want to make your pruning cuts on what's called the collar, like the collar of your shirt. The collar is this little wrinkled area where limbs, branches, and trunks come together. Only here does the tree have specialized plant cells that help a wound callous over. If you cut too far inside the collar, or if you prune and leave too much of a stub, the wound will never heal.