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For orchards

The best brush cutters for orchards

Cutting around fruit trees rewards control over brute power: precise line work near trunks, with a wider cut in reserve for the grass between rows.

By · Updated · first published

In short:Orchards need control near trunks and coverage between rows. The Makita DUR368LZ (3.2 kg bare, three speeds, loop handle) and Worx WG183E (2.9 kg, batteries included) are precise around trees; the Stihl FS 70 C-E (0.9 kW, ErgoStart) and Husqvarna 129R (0.85 kW, 43 cm cut, double harness) are petrol all-rounders; the Greenworks GD40BC's 40 cm cut clears alleys quickly; and the Einhell Agillo 36/255 adds a 3-tooth blade for scrub between rows. Use line, not a blade, near bark.

Our picks, ranked

  1. 1
    Makita DUR368LZ 36V LXT brushless cordless brush cutter lightweight loop handle
    Light twin-18V

    MAKITA · 36V LXT · Brushless

    Makita DUR368LZ

    A light twin-18V (36V) LXT brushless trimmer with a loop handle, three speeds, ADT and a 350 mm cut — comfortable for long grass sessions, sold bare.

    8.4/10
    Read the review
  2. 2
    Stihl FS 70 C-E petrol brush cutter with ErgoStart and bike handle
    All-rounder

    STIHL · 27.2 cc · ErgoStart

    Stihl FS 70 C-E

    20% more power than the FS 55 (0.9 kW vs 0.75 kW), effortless ErgoStart and an AutoCut 25-2 head — the best Stihl compromise for homeowners.

    8.4/10
    Read the review
  3. 3
    Husqvarna 129R 27.6 cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter with straight shaft and bike handle
    All-round Husqvarna

    HUSQVARNA · 27.6 cc · 2-stroke

    Husqvarna 129R

    A 27.6 cc, 0.85 kW, 5.4 kg Husqvarna petrol brush cutter with bullhorn handle, double harness, trimmer head and grass blade included.

    8.0/10
    Read the review
  4. 4
    Greenworks GD40BC 40V cordless brush cutter 40cm cutting width G40 ecosystem
    40 cm cut

    GREENWORKS · 40V G40

    Greenworks GD40BC

    A brushless 40V cordless brush cutter with a wide 40 cm line cut, a 25 cm blade, harness and D-grip handle — sold tool-only on Amazon.co.uk.

    8.0/10
    Read the review
  5. 5
    Einhell Agillo 36 255 BL 36V Power X-Change brushless cordless brush cutter blade
    Value 36V

    EINHELL · 36V Power X-Change · Brushless

    Einhell Agillo 36/255 BL

    A brushless 36V brush cutter on two 18V PXC batteries, with a 3-tooth blade, bump-feed line head and split shaft — strong value, sold bare.

    8.2/10
    Read the review
  6. 6
    Worx WG183E 40V cordless grass trimmer with AutoFeed line and 33 cm cut
    40V AutoFeed kit

    WORX · 40V PowerShare (2× 20V)

    Worx WG183E 40V

    A 40V (2 × 20V) PowerShare grass trimmer with a 33 cm dual-line cut and AutoFeed, sold with batteries and charger — easy lawn care, not for brush.

    7.6/10
    Read the review

Control first

Orchard work is about restraint. You’re weaving between trunks, often under low branches, and one careless pass can ring the bark and set a tree back. What matters is a light, balanced machine, speed control to slow down near the base, and a head that clears grass without being swung hard.

Our picks

  • Makita DUR368LZ — twin-18V loop-handle trimmer, three speeds, ADT; 3.2 kg bare.
  • Stihl FS 70 C-E — 0.9 kW, ErgoStart, bike handle, AutoCut line head; blade available for inter-row scrub.
  • Husqvarna 129R — 0.85 kW, 43 cm cut, 5.4 kg without cutting gear, grass blade and double harness.
  • Greenworks GD40BC — 40 cm cut for open alleys, 25 cm blade, harness; tool-only.
  • Einhell Agillo 36/255 — twin-18V brushless with a 3-tooth blade for scrub between rows.
  • Worx WG183E — 2.9 kg, batteries included, AutoFeed; precise close-in work.

Protecting trees

Fit tree guards or spiral protectors around young trunks, and mulch a weed-free circle around each tree so you don’t need to cut right up to the bark. Cut the alleys first with a wide head, then trim around trees at low speed with the head tilted away from the trunk. Leave windfalls and fallen fruit to clear by hand — they jam heads and throw debris.

Two-machine setups

Larger orchards often use a wide-cutting petrol or twin-battery machine for alleys and a light trimmer for around trunks. See also the best brush cutters for vineyards and a meadow.

Our picks at a glance

ModelTypeEngine / powerWeightRating
Makita DUR368LZ Cordless 36V LXT · Brushless 3.2 kg (Amazon item weight, bare) 8.4 / 10
Stihl FS 70 C-E Petrol 27.2 cc · ErgoStart 5.4 kg (without fuel and cutting tool) 8.4 / 10
Husqvarna 129R Petrol 27.6 cc · 2-stroke 5.4 kg excl. cutting equipment 8 / 10
Greenworks GD40BC Cordless 40V G40 — 8 / 10
Einhell Agillo 36/255 BL Cordless 36V Power X-Change · Brushless 6.09 kg (Amazon.co.uk item weight) 8.2 / 10
Worx WG183E 40V Cordless 40V PowerShare (2× 20V) 2.9 kg (Amazon item weight) 7.6 / 10

Weights are as stated by the maker, UK retailers or Amazon, so some include a battery or cutting gear and others don't — see each review for details.

Compare our picks head to head

Frequently asked questions

Will a brush cutter damage fruit tree bark?

It can, if the line or blade touches the trunk — line can ring young trees. Keep the head moving, stay a few centimetres off, slow down near trunks, or fit tree guards.

Line or blade around fruit trees?

Line near trunks; a blade only for scrub and brambles between rows, well away from the trees.

Cordless or petrol in an orchard?

Cordless for a few trees — quiet, instant on and off, no fumes near fruit. Petrol with a harness for a large orchard worked for hours.