Anybody use a pole pruner?

14 years ago

I climbed up into a Maple and pruned a 5" wide co-dom leader that was 15' tall...I've vouched never to do that again and do my own pruning as long as I can reach the branches from the ground.

There are now a couple trees that need branches pruned in which I can't reach.

I never understood how you could get a good accurate cut with a pole pruner so I'm curious what peoples experiences are.

I don't have much of an issue calling in an arborist to do pruning ever few years or so(if necessary)...but thought I ask about the pole pruners.

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Comments (10)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
yeah i use one ... more of the snipper part ....

as you note.. it is near impossible on larger branches.. the angle NEVER seems proper ...

and boy is it hard on your neck and shoulders.. just a type of motion that is not normal ...

i think part of your problem.. is letting go of your kids ....

what are you going to do when its 30 feet tall .. climb again

50 feet??

90 feet???

i recently got one of those little giant ladders.. to 17 feet i think ... can barely hoik that thing around ....

but when a tree gets beyond that ... well ... free range comes to mind ...

you cant move in with the real kids and watch over them into their 30'.. 40's.. 50's ..... at some time.. you are going to have to let your trees do their own things ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
14 years ago
If you are using the bypass part, you rarely get a close cut. The pole saw is an acquired skill and you need to be pretty fit to get it right because you have to muscle it up to get it right.

Dan
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whaas_5a
Original Author
14 years ago
The funny thing is the one I cut from was a 35' maple...I'm still shocked I got the urge to do that this past fall.

Dan, what do most arborists use for lets say a 30' tree?

I've seen the equipment they used for very large trees but what about these smaller landscape plants?
Embothrium
14 years ago
Pole pruner is for cuts that can not be made from a ladder or when climbing in the tree. Take the saw blade off and just use the blade inside the hooked part.

When I worked for someone pruning all day, during the winter doing dormant pruning we used ladders and climbing around (in small trees, like orchard apples) for the bulk of the work, finishing up with the "hook" for overlooked or otherwise unreachable bits.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
trees over 30 feet.. need a cherry picker..

and a hired man who IS FULLY INSURED FOR HIS OWN HEALTH ...

as well as work comp.. and liability

there are garden jobs that do require a checkbook ...

ken
alabamatreehugger 8b SW Alabama
14 years ago
They're only good for smaller branches under about 3" ,any bigger than that and it will work you to death. The most aggravating part is when the saw gets hung up and you can't get it out.
mdvaden_of_oregon
14 years ago
There are 3 kinds that I've used.

Personally, I rarely use the lopper attachment. Maybe 1 time every 2 months. The saw attachment reigns unless the diameter is under, say, 5/8". If the blade is sharp, a 3 cut removal usually works to avoid tearing.

My limit is 18' of pole sections. Even that bends slightly.

This page has a video showing my favorites. It may auto-play when the page loads in Firefox. About half way down the page.

Just sold the Silky Longboy shown, but its pretty good. Silky makes longer. I use the fiberglass sections.

See link ...

Here is a link that might be useful: Pruning Tools and Pole Saw suggestions
brushpilot
14 years ago
It helps if both sides of the saw blade are lightly lubricated with some silicon.
botann
14 years ago
I use Fiskars for a pole pruner and like M.Vaden I rarely use the attached loppers. I also use their hedge trimmers and hand loppers with a traveling fulcrum. It sure makes cutting easier.
harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania
14 years ago
I use my Corona pole pruner and agree with what some say above:

For small branches only.

For when I have lots of time because this 61-year-old body needs lots of breaks for achy neck and shoulders.

Only about 12' of pole or less.

As Ken says, when you have a lot of work you have to bite the bullet and pay the professional.