Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pruning \Prun"ing\, n.
   1. The act of trimming, or removing what is superfluous.

   2. (Falconry) That which is cast off by bird in pruning her
      feathers; leavings. --Beau. & Fl.

   {Pruning hook}, or {Pruning knife}, cutting instrument used
      in pruning trees, etc.

   {Pruning shears}, shears for pruning trees, vines, etc.

Source : WordNet®

pruning hook
     n : a long-handled edge tool with a curved blade at the end and
         sometimes a clipper; used to prune small trees [syn: {pruner},
          {lopper}]