Adjustable length pruning instrument

A portable pruner for cutting limbs comprising a hollow handle assembly having a longitudinal axis, a lower end and an open upper end. The slidable grip portion is slidable along the longitudinal axis between a first and a second position. The cable runs through the hollow handle assembly to the outer engagement with the shearing mechanism. A shearing mechanism is attached to the upper open end of the hollow handle and includes a body having a hook adapted to receive and hold a limb. A cutting blade is pivotally attached to the body and selectively pivots against the hook to cut the selected limb. The pruner includes means for pivoting the cutting blade with respect to the hook wherein the pivoting means is responsive to movement of the sliding portion between the first and second positions. In one embodiment, the overall pruner length is adjustable with two clamped telescoping handle assembly segments and a mechanism for adjusting the operative cable length to accommodate the length variation of the pruner.