The present invention is directed to a string trimmer having a blower feature incorporated therein. The string trimmer has a cutting head for holding a spool with cutting line. The cutting line is rotated at high speed to cut grass and other vegetation. The cutting head also includes a fan for generating an airflow to act as a blower. The string trimmer can be operated in two modes. In a first mode, both the fan and the spool housing are engaged with the motor so that the rotation of the spool housing performs a cutting operation. In a second mode, the motor engages only the fan to blow air, and the spool housing is disengaged so no cutting operation is performed.