How to Use a Telescoping Pruner for trees (adjustable pole saw).

This is one of those tools any gardener who has mature trees will appreciate.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look for a telescoping saw with a good, sturdy pole. I like the ones that have an extender so that I can get that extra bit of pruning height.
   
   The blade should be dangerously sharp, extremely secure, and it should have nuts and bolts that will let you remove the blade for sharpening or replacing and tightening down the blade for extra security.
   
   The lopper should also have a sharp blade that can be removed for sharpening and cleaning. It should also have a long leash (that when pulled, lets the loppers cut). The leash or cord should not show any signs of fraying and it should feel secure in your hand.

2. Before you make the cut, put on a pair of goggles before the tree starts raining debris down into your eye.
   
   Look for the branch to cut and position yourself in a place that will be clear of the falling branch and will be easy to reach with the pole saw.

3. To use the saw blade, extend the pole to the length you need. The cuts will be easiest when you can line the blade up to be 90 degrees against the branch (so that the blade makes a cross to the branch). The more the branch angles up and parallel to the blade, the harder it will be to make a cut that is clean and healthy for the tree.
   
   To protect tree trunk from having its bark torn and damaged, make a cut on the underside of the branch close to the trunk so that the branch will fall cleanly away.
   
   The saw has a natural arch to it that you can use to rest the blade against the tree while you're cutting. This will keep you steady.
   
   If the branch is heavy, make the next cut a foot away from the trunk of the tree so that if the branch brakes during the cutting, you'll still have enough of a branch left to make a clean cut.

4. The lopper also has a "hook" that is useful for resting the lopper on the branch to be cut. This will steady the tool while you pull the cord to make the cut.
   
   Once the branch is cut free, the pole saw is free and you can lose control of it pretty easily. Keep a safe grip with your left hand (right hand for lefties) and keep your other hand high when you pull the cord for the cut. Your other hand will naturally correct the tools imbalance.
   
   The lopper is only good for branches that are about 1 inch thick. Anything bigger is for the saw.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the blade clean by using a brush to sweep away any saw dust caught in its teeth.
• Use a little WD-40 on the loppers to keep them moving freely.
• Trees are very resilient and the cleaner the cut, the faster the tree will heal over its scar. Never cut right up to the trunk! Look for the branches natural flair (a collar that looks like a bump right where the branch meets the trunk) and make your cut at the collar. And never apply any pruning sealer! You're only inviting bacteria and disease to invade the tree through it wound. Let the tree scare over on its own.
• Please don't stand under the branch you're cutting.
• Hire a professional to remove branches on trees that are too tall for the pruner or for branches that are hanging above power or phone lines.

Resources

• The hand saw for smaller projects.

[Sush56]

on 9/17/2008 Great information and tips!

[dsarokin]

on 9/15/2008 Thinking about doing some pruning (have an overgrown pear tree in the yard) and this is just the article I needed. Thanks so much.

[JasneJ]

on 9/13/2008 Terrific expert pruning information. Excellent safety tips, especially wearing goggles.I wear them over my glasses to keep the dust & junk out of my eyes.
Thanks!