A vegetation pruning device (102) includes a pair (114, 116) of pivotably coupled handles and a motor having a rotary output drive (130) for driving an endless flexible cutting chain (108). A guard (162) is moved relative to the chain (108) by means of pivoting of the handles (114, 116) relative to each other to grip vegetation between the guard (162) and the chain (108). A gear mechanism is connected between the guard (162) and the chain (108) such that pivoting of the handles (114, 116) through a first angle relative to each other causes pivoting of the guard and chain through a second angle, larger than the first angle, relative to each other. <IMAGE>
