I've always preferred using hand tools to prune trees and remove dead or low-hanging limbs. Not that a chainsaw isn't useful for finishing off big projects quickly. But for most of my tree-trimming work, I like to use a hand saw and pruning loppers.
I've just added a pole saw and pruner combination to my arsenal. I'm eager to check it out and can already envision a number of situations in which I'll find use for it.
An Easy Tree Tool
It is precisely what its name implies: a pole saw and pruner. For reaching high branches without using a ladder, it consists of a handsaw and pruning loppers attached on the end of a pole. The smallest part of my pole saw and pruner is around 5 feet long. But by releasing a locking mechanism and extending a telescoping inner pole from within the outer pole, it may be expanded to 10 feet.
The tool's saw component is straightforward. It is a curved blade that can be installed at the pole's end in a variety of ways. To cut through tall branches, raise and lower the pole while pulling back and forth on the saw blade.
The more sophisticated and aesthetically beautiful pruner section has a creative design. A bypass pruning blade is operated by a set of pulleys and levers that are connected by a rope with a wooden handle that goes up to them.
My tug on the rope is stronger thanks to the pulleys and levers. This facilitates cutting through branches, and the loppers' stationary jaw is shaped to hook around the tops of branches. The loppers won't fall off the branch when I pull on the rope if I do it that way.
The Pruning Game being changed
When I prune my young fruit trees this winter, the pruner will come in helpful. Some of them have grown quickly to astonishing heights, in particular an Early Gold pear tree. To cut the tallest branches, I was going to need a ladder, but now that I have a pole saw and pruner, everything is different.
Pruning my trees will go much faster, simpler, and easier if I don't have to lug about and move a ladder all the time.
The saw will be equally beneficial. Around my property, there are several coniferous trees that have long, sagging bottom branches. The branches hang low enough to obstruct walking and mowing the lawn. However, these drooping branches frequently join the trunk at a considerable height out from the reach of common equipment.
It appears unkempt to cut off the hanging ends of these branches. However, setting up a ladder to safely chop them off at the tree trunk can be challenging. These low-hanging branches should be easily cut with my pole saw, enhancing the aesthetic of the trees.
The list of potential outcomes is endless. The highest branches of a blossoming crabapple tree that grows close to my house frequently try to touch the wall. I won't need a ladder to control it any longer. I want to cut some of my ancient apple trees' scion wood off the tops.
This project will be ideal for the pruner.
I can't believe it took me this long to expand my toolkit with a pole saw and pruner!