Do you really need a pole saw or would another tool, perhaps one that you already own, do the job just as well?

Safety – while you could scale a ladder with your trusty chainsaw in hand, being able to prune branches while standing on the ground, and therefore standing at a fair distance from the blade, is a much safer way to go about things Most pole saws have bar lengths of 8 inches, but many can range from 6-12 inches. The higher the cutting bar length, the bigger the maximum diameter of the branches the saw can cut effectively. Ideally, the cutting bar length should be two inches longer than the diameter of the branch you intend to cut. So, you need a 10″ bar to cut a branch with a diameter of 8 inches. What’s more, you can convert the WG309 into a chainsaw by detaching the pole, making light work of branches on the ground. An automatic lubrication system allows the saw to work smoothly for longer while reducing wear and tear on the bar and chain. The lightweight design, ergonomic and comfortable grip lower operator fatigue, allowing you to deliver exceptional performance. This powerful tool is ideal for yard, home, and farm cutting tasks as a pole saw or chainsaw. It weighs only 10 pounds. Pole saws usually run on either petrol or electricity, with the electric machines powered by either mains electricity or batteries.Hyundai products can sometimes be a little fiddly to assemble, so I was pleased to find that this pole saw only took about five minutes to put together. There’s not much to be done, other than attaching the handle (the Allen key that you’ll need for this is supplied in the box) and slotting the poles together. Then, fill it with petrol/oil using the provided mixing bottle, pour in some chain oil, and you’re good to go! This saw is also fairly easy to use. It’s easy to switch between the different attachments, and it comes with a shoulder strap included. It can be assembled in just a couple of minutes. Battery powered (cordless) long reach chainsaw that’s part of the Greenworks series of power tools.

Derek has real-world tested 61 products for DIY Garden, and is one of our most experienced testers.

You'll find a wide array of pole saws for sale at garden centers and home improvement shops. These tree trimmers come in various lengths and bar sizes, plus there are manual, gas-powered, corded electric, and battery-powered models to choose from. Not sure what you need from a quality pole saw? Here are some things to think about before you buy: Gas-powered pole saws are by far the most powerful type, suited to professional use or heavy-duty tasks cutting large branches. Our Best Gas recommendation is the Echo PPT-2620 X-Series, which has a 12-inch cutting bar. Most homeowners won’t need these heavy-duty tools, but if you are a homesteader or have very large trees on your property, and you are well-trained in tree-trimming techniques, then you might find the higher cost and maintenance needs of a gas-powered pole saw to be worth your while. The engine of a gas pole saw is usually 20cc to 40cc, and these tools are useful for branches up to 10 or 12 inches in diameter, although for anyone not trained as an arborist, it’s best to leave such large branches to a professional.

To put it simply, if you want to prune tree branches that you can’t reach from the ground without a ladder, then a pole saw would make your life so much easier. They’re not complicated tools – they’re basically a chainsaw that sits at the top of a long pole. However, that long pole is what will enable you to slice through those hard-to-reach branches from ground level, while offering up a number of additional benefits: Just like regular chainsaws, extendable chainsaws can be powered by either gas, electricity, or batteries. Gas models of long pole chainsaws are usually a bit noisier and heavier than the ones powered by batteries or electricity. They also require more maintenance than battery-powered and electric models. Electric and battery-powered chainsaws produce less noise and zero emissions, and they are also lighter. Corded electric models are limited in reach, while gas and battery-powered models need refilling and recharging to be able to run. Features To Keep In Mind You also need to look out for safety features in a pole saw. While the pole saw is considerably safer than the chainsaw, features such as blade guide, anti-vibration, and ergonomic design will enhance operator safety.A pole saw is used for pruning tree branches and large shrubs from a distance. It allows you to reach higher branches without leaving the stability of the firm ground. The pole saw can also be used to trim hedges. In variants that can be converted to chainsaws, the pole saw can be used to cut logs into smaller pieces after pruning off the tree. Pole Saw Buying Guide Of course, cutting length matters too . If your branches are on the smaller side, then you may not need anything longer than 15cm, which would make the head much lighter and easier to manoeuvre. However, if you have chunky, mature branches to prune, then look for something longer – our recommended pole saws go up to 30cm in length. To find the best pole saws, I evaluated several pole saws, considering each model’s design, performance, power, ease of use, and safety, as well as how easy it was to assemble each and their value for money. Here’s an insight into how I tested them: With all of this in mind, along with our own extensive testing, we chose the Bosch Cordless Pruner UniversalChainPole 18 as our top choice. It meets the mark on so many levels, from how lightweight and simple it is to use to how well it performs on all types of trees, that it’s easy to see why it has such wide appeal.

Noah James, professional landscaper and owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance, says, "For those who take pride in their landscaping and curb appeal, a pole saw is a must-have. It allows you to sculpt your trees and bushes with precision. With a pole saw you can effortlessly trim tree branches from the comfort of the ground. No more stretching or straining to reach those high branches."A pole saw saves you time and effort when you’re pruning trees in your yard. However, pole saws—much like chainsaws—can be dangerous if you mishandle them. Below, we’ve outlined some safety tips to help you avoid injury. Clear the Area When operating a pole saw you have to support the pole whilst cutting high above you. A chainsaw positioned on a pole 1 m away from you will feel twice as heavy as one held close to your body.