For those of us that have trees in our yards with high branches, it’s always a challenge to keep them pruned and looking good without having to call a yard service to do it for you.  An economical way to solve this problem is to buy a pole saw.  Basically a pole saw is a chainsaw on a stick.  Most come with retractable poles to help you reach branches high and low.  In this article we’ll look at the various options of the pole saw – including the manually kind.

With Spring approaching, even arrived in some areas, it’s time to get the yard ready!  A big part of this for most people will be trimming trees.  A Pole Saw is a great tool to help keep your yard looking good but before you start trimming be sure you are being safe!  Below are some guidelines to follow.

A pole saw is a tool many people have not heard of but is a very helpful yard tool.  Basically think of a pole saw as a chainsaw on a long pole.  Typically the pole is adjustable to help reach higher or lower branches. Typically a pole can extend up to 10 feet.

What is a pole saw used for?

A pole saw is used to trim small to medium branches.  If you have a yard with a bunch of trees than a pole saw can be  a big help and alleviate the need to have a professional come out and do the work for you.

What kinds of pole saws are there?

There are 4 different kinds of pole saws.  The first is called a pruning pole saw.  Rather than having a chainsaw at the end of a pole, they have a small 8 or 10 inch saw at the end of it.
The next type of pole saw is an electric cordless pole saw. These have a chainsaw at the end of the pole that runs on a battery.
There is one other type of electric pole saw and that is a corded pole saw. These also have a chainsaw at the end of the pole but rather than using a batter they need to be plugged into an outlet.
Lastly, there are gas powered pole saws. These are typically the heaviest and have the added need of gasoline

For more information on Pole Saws, visit our Pole Saw Buying Guide.

How much do Pole Saws cost?

The cost of pole saws range based on the type but you should be prepared to pay anywhere between $50 up to $200.  Corded pole saws will be among the most affordable ones, followed by cordless pole saws and finally gas powered pole saws.

Where can I Buy a Pole Saw

Surprisingly Home Depot and Lowes carry a limited variety of Pole Saws in store, however they have a better selection online.  A good place to find the best option for you is Amazon.  They have a wide variety of all types of Pole Saws

Pole Saw Safety Gear

As with all things in life, safety with pole saws comes first.  Protective goggles are a must.  These will help shield your eyes from any falling debris.  Earmuffs are also recommended.  The sound of a pole saw is quite loud especially for the gas powered ones.  Earmuff’s will help dampen the sound and ensure you’re ear drums stay intact.  Non-slip work gloves are also an important item.  These can help ensure of a good grip on the pole saw and prevent any slipping.  A helmet is also recommended to ensure you are protected against any falling branches.  Clothes are also an important consideration with pole saws.  Be sure to avoid jewelry, including wedding rings, and baggy clothes with operating a pole saw.

Pole Saw Preparation

Once you are properly prepared it’s time to make sure your pole saw is in good working order.  Make sure your chain is oiled and functioning correctly.  Also be sure to inspect the chain for any missing or loose teeth.  The last thing we want is for a tooth to go flying off mid use.

Cutting Area

Lastly be sure the area that you are working in is safe.  You’ll need an area where you can stand on even footing.  Be sure there are no power lines or other objects hanging near by that could get cut by accident.  One last tip – never do any trimming in wet weather.  it’s too easy to slip and fall in these conditions when holding such a long tool.

Pole Pruning Saws

Pole pruning saws are basically a long pole with a standard saw on the end.  Since they do not have a motor or battery, they are typically much longer than electric ones.  On the flip side it is much harder to cut through thicker branches with a pole pruning saw.  Typically these are less expensive than their electric pole saw brothers and sisters, but they can get pricey with a longer pole.

Benefits of Pole Pruning Saws

Pole pruning saws are great because of their extended reach and  they are light weight.  If you have extremely high branches, chances are you will not be able to reach them with any other type of pole saw.  Pole pruning saws tend to be less expensive as well.  Cost of maintenance is another benefit as there is no motor to charge or chain box to keep oiled.

Disadvantages of Pole Pruning Saws

The major disadvantage of these pole pruning saws is the lack of power. Much like a manually push lawnmower, your arms have to do all the work.
pruning pole saws

Cordless Pole Saws

Cordless pole saws are electric pole saws that run on a battery.  Much like other yard tools, this is the direction a lot of the new pole saws are going in.  These are some of the more popular pole saws on the market as they should be.

Benefits of Cordless Pole Saws

Cordless pole saws offer much more power than manual pole pruning saws. Also since they are cordless you do not have to be within extension cord range of an outlet.

Disadvantages of cordless Pole Saws

On the flip side of using a battery, these pole saws tend to be less powerful than their corded electrical counterparts.  These tend to be some of the heaviest pole saws as well.  The batteries alone can weigh up to 3 pounds.  As with other electric pole saws, the reach is not as great as with the pole pruning saws as well. Visit our Top 5 reviewed Cordless Pole Saws to see which ones rank the best.

Corded Electrical Pole Saws

The other type of electric pole saw is the corded kind.  These are similar in performance to the cordless ones in most ways. For smaller years these are typically a good choice.

Advantages of Corded Electric Pole Saw

Since there is no battery, these are typically lighter than the cordless versions.  They are more powerful than cordless and quieter than the Gas powered pole saws.

Disadvantages of Corded Electric Pole Saws

The main drawback for the corded pole saws is the range.  Since they need to be plugged in, you can only go so far from an outlet.  This would be a problem for bigger yards.  Additionally, although they are more powerful than cordless pole saws, they are not as powerful as gas powered pole saws.
corded pole saw

Gas Powered Pole Saws

Gas powered pole saws have been around the longest and are by far the most powerful option.  If you have a large yard with very think branches you can’t go wrong with one of these!

Advantages of gas powered pole saws

By far the most powerful option of all.  If you are looking to cut through thick branches on a regular basis this is your best bet.  Also with a full tank of gas you should have a longer run time than on a full battery with a cordless pole saw.

Disadvantages of gas pole saws

Gas pole saws are typically the heaviest of all the options.  If you need a lightweight pole saw you should look more to the corded options.  The cost of maintenance is much greater with the gas powered options as well.  Typically the gas for the motor will be more than the electricity costs.  You’ll also need to put in more time with maintenance to keep the motor running optimally.
cordless pole saws
gas powered pole saw
So there you have it!  All great options.  Regardless of which you buy you’ll definitely save money in the long run because you’ll no longer need the landscape company to come out and prune the trees!