If you are thinking of pruning back shrubs and trees this winter, there is a range of tools and ladders available to make reaching high branches easier and safer. For major work on trees, especially tall trees, it is best to contract a tree surgeon, as they are experienced in trimming different types of tree and have insurance for working at height, as well as rope equipment and specialist cutting tools for very tall trees. A good tree surgeon will be able to recommend a course of action for every tree in your garden, according to your needs. For smaller trees and hedges, a pair of long handled lopping shears is a good investment. Telescopic models are available allowing you to remain on the ground whilst pruning taller plants. They can be difficult to manouevre in dense shrubs though; sometimes, close range work is needed. If you are planning to use a ladder in the garden, the most important thing to think about is the ground surface. If the ground is paved or concreted, look out for slippery patches of moss or grass and take extra caution when the ground is wet. Gravel and shale surfaces can give way under a ladder and so may need stabilising. There are ladder stops designed to dig into gravel surfaces to provide extra grip. These devices can provide grip on gravel, grass, paving stones & decking to name but a few. Grass and earth surfaces are not a good surface for a ladder unless the ground is very dry and level. As well as making sure the ladder is on the right surface, ensure you are using the right ladder for the job. Leaning extension ladders against trees or turning step ladders side-on to the work is not a good idea. The ladder itself must be in good condition: ladders left outside are more prone to damage caused by corrosion and knocks. Check rungs and stiles for signs of damage, wet leaves or any substance that might cause poor grip and check all moving parts. There are ladders specifically designed for garden and outdoor use, including platform systems, platform steps and tripod ladders. The Gardeno Mobile Work Platform (£125 including VAT and free delivery) is a purpose built mini scaffold tower that can be easily wheeled around across any surface, with six-inch wide foot pads that screw down to the ground at each corner. These can be adjusted independently to ensure a level platform and a stable base. The platform can be set at four heights between twenty and fifty-five inches and it will support a load of 200 kilos, which is a good allowance for tools and other equipment. The Gardeno Mobile Work Platform is perfect for cutting hedges, picking fruit and pruning trees as well as many other garden and maintenance tasks. When not in use, the platform packs flat for storage and is easy to assemble with wing nuts and bolts. A multi-purpose ladder and work platform can also suitable for outdoor use. The wide stabilising bars and rubber grips on the ends of the two sections provide a solid base on grass and other outdoor surfaces. This piece of equipment can be used as an A-frame step ladder, an extension ladder (with a length of 2.7 metres), two small ladders, a stairway scaffold tower and a normal scaffold tower with a height of up to 1.6 metres. Outdoor steps are no problem for this versatile work platform, and at £79 (including VAT and free delivery), this is an excellent investment. The unit is rated EN 131 for trade and DIY use, and can carry up to 150 kilos, and it only weighs 18 kilos. The platform itself is 1.5 by 0.4 metres, which is plenty of height for harvesting fruit and vegetables or pruning hedges. Designed with hedge pruning in mind, the Hedgemate telescopic platform sits right up against the hedge, making it far easier to work close up. The four legs telescope independently of each other, so the platform can be set up on uneven and sloping ground. The feet swivel in all directions and have a thread for fine height adjustments, making this the ideal ladder for landscaped gardens. The feet themselves feature circular weight spreading pads to prevent sinking on softer ground. The anti-slip platform is four feet high, giving a reach of nine to ten feet, and the platform has side and front rails to prevent falls. The Hedgemate weighs just 25 kilos, folds down for storage with the removal of four nuts and costs £169 including VAT and free delivery. The Hedgemaster range of tall platform step ladders specifically built for pruning hedges allows you to get right to the top of tall hedges for neat tops. The platform of the standard model is adjustable in height between 4' and 6' in inch increments, with a maximum reach of twelve feet. Each leg of the platform step-ladder is adjustable up to 24 inches for use on slopes and other uneven ground and the articulated feet help stabilise the ladder on sloping surfaces. The spread of the legs means it can be placed over ditches, flowerbeds and small walls, giving access to areas other ladders could not cope with. The platform itself has a guardrail around three sides and measures twenty by twenty four inches, giving the user space to move confidently. This model weighs just sixteen kilos and costs £399 including VAT and free delivery. The Maxi Hedgemaster is the taller option in the same range. The model comprises the standard Hedgemaster with an extension kit that measures three feet, giving a working height of 14ft, from a platform height of 9'. This package costs £519 including VAT and free delivery. Fruit picking tripod ladders are designed specifically with harvesting from fruit trees in mind. The construction of these ladders (available in heights between six and fourteen feet, at prices between £140 and £260 with VAT and free delivery) as tripods allows for positioning into the heart of the tree, due to the tapering at the top and the single back leg, which takes up very little room and means there is no damage to branches. The simple yet clever construction actually helps prevent the ladder from sinking into soft orchard ground. Sometimes called orchard ladders, these modern versions are made from industrial duty aluminium, so are incredibly light: the longest model weighs just nineteen kilos. The feet of the stiles are tipped with solid rubber, while the back leg has a ground spike attached to keep the ladder in place, although a rubber foot can be supplied instead for use on paved ground around trees. These ladders are used in commercial orchards and by groundsmen around the country, so for the domestic user they are the best money can buy. The Faxko telescopic tripod ladder is also ideal for garden use. Combining the idea of a tripod ladder with a step ladder that can be used front-on to a vertical surface, these ladders are great for pruning hedges, harvesting fruit and trimming back trees. All four legs are independently adjustable allowing the ladder to be placed on sloping ground and even over low walls, and the safety harness belt that clips into the extendable handrail leaves both hands free for working; ideally suited to working in the garden. This ladder is available in two heights, fourteen and sixteen feet and the entire unit can be used as a short or long step ladder, meaning it is perfect for gardens with shrubs and trees of varying heights. The Faxko telescopic tripod ladder is only available in the UK from Midland Ladders, and costs £345 for the fourteen-foot model, and £375 for the sixteen-foot model (including VAT and free delivery). The maximum weight of the system (longest model with extensions) is twenty-two kilos and it can bear a load of up to 150 kilos. Whichever model of ladder you choose, be careful when using it for the first time; always read the instructions, especially for any ladder with moving parts like these garden ladders. Ensure the ground surface is suitable and will not allow the ladder to sink. Always check the stability of any ladder placed on an uneven surface before climbing and make any necessary adjustments to the legs to provide a solid working base. Carry tools up in a tool belt or have someone on hand to pass them up to you. Always use both hands when climbing the ladder: don't attempt to hold anything like garden shears or secateurs when climbing, as they greatly increase the risk and severity of an accident.