Pro-pruners prefer bypass secateurs over anvil types ... Use long-handled loppers on thicker or tougher stems, up to 3cm in diameter. For thicker branches, use a pruning saw. Alan Titchmarsh shows you ...

A pruning saw is a key tool for pruning your trees the right way yourself. This tool works well for trimming small branches that are greater than 1½ inches in diameter from a tree or larger shrub.