Best Pole Saws of 2023

You can use a pole saw to trim hedges but you shouldn’t unless the hedge is high to reach. In general, you should trim your hedges with a hedge trimmer.

These two tools are relatively similar, except a hedge trimmer has fewer teeth, which are set further apart. This makes them better suited to cutting soft foliage rather than tougher materials such as thick branches.

It is also possible to get hedge trimmers that can be mounted on poles. If you want to save money, you can use your pole saw, but you are less likely to achieve a neat finish.

Battery-powered pole saws can be very effective for less intense tasks such as cutting twigs and thin branches. They have similar cutting power to corded saws, but with far greater freedom as you won’t need to stay near an electrical outlet.

If you need to trim your entire garden or work professionally, it is worth keeping a spare battery charged. Otherwise, you might have to wait 4 to 6 hours for your saw’s battery to recharge.

The maximum thickness you can cut will vary depending on the specific model. Generally, the limit will be between 6 and 7 inches with a blade of about 10 inches. However, some gas-powered saws with larger blades can add a couple of inches to this. If you want to cut through thicker branches, you will probably need to climb a ladder and do it with a chainsaw.

1. Prepare the Area

Clear the area under the tree you want to prune and cordon it off if there is any risk of someone coming along. Check for uneven ground and any surface roots that could present a trip hazard. Remove anything that makes it more difficult to stand safely.

2. Prepare Yourself

With the area clear, put on safety goggles, gloves, and a hard hat to protect you from falling debris. You might also want to wear ear defenders if you have a gas-powered saw, as they can be loud during use.

3. Plan Your Cuts

Look at the tree and consider which branches you want to cut and in what order. If you are removing a longer branch, remember to make several cuts to gradually reduce its length, rather than a single cut near the trunk of the tree.

4. Prepare the Saw

Extend the pole to the required height and make sure you lock it into position. If the pole is loose, the saw might retract while you are cutting, which could be very dangerous.

Familiarize yourself with how the saw feels and how its weight is balanced. Once you have, place the blade against the branch where you want to make the first cut.

5. Position Your Body

Stand with one foot forward to take the weight of the saw and maintain your balance. Your front hand should hold the pole at approximately chest height, while your other hand holds the base. Don’t stand directly below the branch you are cutting as this will lead to it falling on you.

6. Start Sawing

Hold the saw blade perpendicular to the branch and start by slowly cutting a groove. This groove will act as a guide later when you increase the cutting speed. The blade of the saw will likely bounce along the branch until it bites, so make sure you hold it securely.

As the saw blade starts to cut through the wood, apply steady pressure to ensure it stays in place.

7. Increase Speed

Once the saw’s blade is safely in the groove, increase its speed to continue cutting through the wood. Before long, you will cut through the branch and it will fall to the ground. Be sure to stay at a safe distance and out of the way of any falling debris, as the branch might have been holding up dead branches.

Repeat this process for any other branches you need to cut.

If you want to rent a pole saw rather than buy one, expect to pay between $20 and $100 per day, depending on the type of saw. Many companies increase their prices at the weekend and during the summer months when demand is at its highest.

Pole saws can be powered by gasoline, electricity, or battery. They’re also available in different sizes, depending on the diameter of the branches being cut.

The main benefit of using a pole saw is that it helps to prevent ladder injuries. According to the CDC, more than 500,000 people yearly are treated in hospital emergency rooms for ladder-related injuries.

Ladder falls are often caused by overreaching, losing balance, or climbing with your hands full. A pole saw eliminates the need to climb a ladder, which reduces the risk of falling and injuring yourself.

Another benefit of using a pole saw is that it helps you to save time and energy. If you need to trim branches high up and out of reach, a pole saw can help you do the job quickly without having to set up a ladder.

This is especially helpful if you have a lot of branches to trim or if the branches are thick and require multiple cuts.

There are some downsides to using pole saws, including the risk of electrocution if you’re using an electric model near power lines.

Gasoline-powered models can also be dangerous if they leak gas or oil onto the ground. Also, pole saws can be more expensive than traditional handheld saws.

But, when you consider the time and energy you can save using a pole saw and the safety benefits, many people find that they are worth the investment.

On average, a pole saw blade will last for about a month before it needs to be replaced. However, this can vary depending on how often the saw is used and what material is cut.

If the saw is used frequently or if it is used to cut hardwood, then the blade will need to be replaced more often.

Conversely, if the saw is only used occasionally or if it is used primarily to cut softwoods, then the blade will last longer. Regardless of how often the saw is used, it is important to inspect the blade regularly and sharpen or replace it as needed to keep the saw in good working condition.

You can use a pole saw like a chainsaw, but that depends on what you’re cutting. Gas-powered pole saws are designed for cutting branches and limbs high up in trees. Their long reach makes them ideal for pruning, but they can also be used for felling small trees.

While a gas-powered pole saw may look like a chainsaw, the two tools have some important differences. For one, a gas-powered pole saw is much lighter than a chainsaw, making it easier to handle.

Additionally, a gas-powered pole saw typically has a smaller cutting blade, which helps to reduce kickback. Gas-powered pole saws usually have an adjustable cutting head, which allows you to customize the angle of the blade for more precise cuts.

While a gas-powered pole saw may not be as powerful as a chainsaw, it can still be useful for completing various yard tasks.

The trimming and pruning of larger trees with the assistance of telescopic poles can be accomplished with either a pole saw or pole pruning shears.

However, each garden equipment has its own set of highly specific applications and benefits that set it apart from the other.

The use of pole saws, which can be either manually operated, electrically powered, or gas-powered, is primarily limited to the rough cutting of huge branches that are both too large and too high for ordinary chainsawing.

But, pole pruning shears are specifically designed for precise tree trimming and pruning with a large canopy.

In a nutshell, pole saws are used to cut branches that would otherwise be inaccessible, while pole pruning shears are used for precisely trimming such branches.

For pole saws with a long reach, inspect the Sun Joe SWJ800E. Because of its low weight (7 pounds), this pole saw eliminates the need to put unnecessary strain on your arms and back while working with it.

Additionally, it permits you to work for extended periods without needing to take breaks.

If you have never used a pole saw before, purchasing a model like this one that is not too expensive is the ideal way to get started without breaking the bank. This pole saw’s most notable characteristic also led us to determine that it offers the most value for the money.

The saw can be adjusted to any height you choose thanks to the telescopic pole, which is also very easy to operate.

HOSKO’s pole saw is the perfect option for people who want a lightweight tool to trim tall branches and large bushes.

This manual pole saw doesn’t run out of power unless you do which is a great feature to look for.

Because the pole on this model is 22.8 inches long, you can reach even the highest branches. Even more effective tree-trimming is possible thanks to its barbed design on one side.

The only maintenance required to keep this saw in functioning shape is to make sure that the blades are kept sharp.

It’s possible to use the saw as a hand tool because it may be detached. All conventional extension poles can be used with these threads because they are universal.

Greenworks is pretty popular and is a brand known for its quality and durability, especially in its pole saws. They have a wide variety of pole saws to choose from, and each one is designed to tackle a specific task.

For example, the Greenworks G-MAX 40V Cordless Pole Saw is perfect for trimming branches and cutting through thick brush.

If you need a more powerful saw, the Greenworks Pro 80V Cordless Pole Saw can handle even the toughest jobs.