Pruning trees can be a tedious and time-consuming process. To make the job easier, having the right equipment is key. Long pole saws are essential for pruning larger branches from taller trees without having to use a ladder. In this article, we’ll test the best longest pole saws available for tree pruning and provide helpful tips for choosing the right one for your needs.
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Longest Corded Electric Pole Saws
Corded electric pole saws, Cordless battery pole saws, and Gas-powered pole saws are three types of power pole saws. Corded pole saws are usually lighter and cheaper than the other two types. They require very little maintenance and tend to have medium to high power.
Corded pole saws are the most popular type used by homeowners since they are very easy to use and able to handle most of household tasks. However, in return, corded saws are not so convenient as you have to mind the cord all the time.
Sun Joe SWJ802E – Multi-angle
Pros
- Can cut at 0º, 15º and 30º angles
- Lightweight
- The long telescoping pole gives a long reachability
- Automatic lubrication system
Cons
- You have to refill the oil regularly
Sun Joe SWJ802E is one of the most-selling pole saws. Its head can be adjusted to tilt at 0º, 15º, and 30º angles, giving you more convenience to cut at different positions.
The telescoping pole is 6 ft long and can be extended to 9.4 ft, giving you a max reach of 15 ft – long enough to cut down fruit trees’ branches without a ladder.
This pole saw can cut up to 7.5 inches of softwood with its 6.5-amp motor. And have an automatic lubrication function. It is also lightweight as a pole saw, however, it does require some strength to cut at full length.
There’s a thing that would make you uncomfortable – the oil can leak so you have to refill the oil regularly.
Product Specifications
| Max Cutting Thickness | 7.5 inches |
| Telescoping Pole Length | 9.4 ft |
| Reach | 15 ft |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs |
| Motor | 6.5-amp motor |
| Highlight features | Multi-angled cuts, Automatic lubrication, CSA- approved, built-in safety switch |
Sun Joe SWJ802E is a lightweight and multi-angle electric pole saw that’s suitable for normal tree pruning tasks.
Worx WG309 – 2-in-1
Pros
- High cutting capacity
- Can be used as a normal chainsaw
Cons
- Very top-heavy at full length
If you want to cut something harder than what the Sun Joe SWJ802E can – a thicker wood log or hardwood, you should consider Worx WG309.
It’s a 2-in-1 electric saw. You can use it as a pole saw to reach overhead branches, or you can detach the saw from the pole to cut small trunks – the 8-Amp motor and the 10-inch cutting bar can handle these tasks easily without making you fatigued.
Worx WG309 has a rotatable handle for efficient pruning, auto-tensioning and auto-lubrication functions for easier operation and maintenance.
However, the saw is quite heavy – 2 pound more than the Sun Joe SWJ802E. At full length, Worx WG309 is very top-heavy that requires a lot of effort to use it.
Product Specifications
| Max Cutting Thickness | 10 inches |
| Telescoping Pole Length | 8 ft |
| Reach | 10 ft |
| Weight | 10 lbs |
| Motor | 8-Amp motor |
| Highlight features | Can be converted to a normal chainsaw, Auto-tension, Auto-lubrication, Rotatable working handle |
Worx WG309 is a convenient 2-in-1 electric saw that’s powerful enough to cut small hardwood trunks.
Longest Battery-Powered Pole Saws
A typical cordless pole saw has a higher price and less power than corded pole saws and gas-powered pole saws. However, since they don’t have tangled electric cords and foul-smelling emissions, cordless pole saws are the most convenient. They’re portable and quiet.
Homeowners use cordless pole saws for light to medium tasks. There are also some really powerful battery-powered pole saws for heavy-duty tasks.
BLACK+DECKER LPP120 – Longest & lightest
Pros
- Lightweight
- Can be disassembled for easy storage
Cons
- Only suitable for light tree-pruning tasks
BLACK+DECKER LPP120 is a very lightweight cordless pole saw, though, it has impressive reachability – 14 ft. You can also disassemble it into three parts for easy storage.
The pole saw comes with a Black & Decker 20-volt MAX Lithium-ion battery, which has a longer lifespan and 5X better charge retention than NiCad batteries. It can make up to 100 cuts through 1-1/2-inch softwood branches with each charge.
However, as a battery-powered pole saw, power is the weakness of BLACK+DECKER LPP120. It is suitable for light tree-pruning tasks – the maximum depth that the saw can handle is 6 inches of softwood.
Product Specifications
| Max Cutting Thickness | 6 inches |
| Telescoping Pole Length | 6.5ft – 10 ft |
| Reach | 14 ft |
| Weight | 6.3 pounds |
| Battery | 20-volt MAX lithium-ion |
| Highlight features | Can be disassembled for easy storage |
BLACK+DECKER LPP120 is the best overall cordless pole saw for light tree-pruning tasks.
Oregon PS250-E6 – Most powerful
Pros
- Mid-Mount Motor to reduce the weight of the cutting head
- Powerful enough for serious yard work
- The long telescoping pole gives a long reachability
Cons
- Very heavy
Cordless pole saws tend to be not so powerful, but Oregon Cordless PS250-E6 is an exception. It uses 40-volt MAX lithium-ion battery that gives the saw enough power to cut through 8-inch trunks – exceeds the requirement of normal yard work.
Oregon Cordless PS250-E6 has a very long reach – 15 ft and is heavier than normal cordless pole saws – 13.5 lbs. However, you won’t feel it difficult to handle the saw at full length due to the Mid-Mount Motor – The motor is mounted in the middle of the saw, making the saw balanced.
Product Specifications
| Max Cutting Thickness | 8 inches |
| Telescoping Pole Length | 10 ft |
| Reach | 15 ft |
| Weight | 13.5 lbs |
| Battery | 40-volt MAX lithium-ion |
| Highlight features | Mid-Mount Motor |
Oregon Cordless PS250-E6 is a decent cordless saw for serious yard work.
The Longest Gas Powered Pole Saw
Gas pole saws have massive power. They are also as portable as cordless pole saws. In return, they are loud and does emit harmful gas to you and the environment.
They use gas-powered pole saws for both home and commercial purposes, such as logging and street tree trimming.
Maxtra – Best Overall
Pros
- Powerful engine
- Very long reach
- An anti-slip hand bar and a shoulder Strap for better control
Cons
- Heavy and loud
Maxtra Gas Pole Saw has an 11.4-ft long pole and 10-inch cutting bar, which can help you reach the highest branches in your yard without a ladder.
It also has a super powerful 42.7cc 2-cycle engine with Quick Start technology. It’s easy for you to turn on the saw and cut off 10-inch thick branches effortlessly.
The anti-slip handlebar and the shoulder strap are designed to control the saw more easily and reduce your fatigue while working. In addition, an air filter and a 2-position-choke are installed to protect the engine from being damaged. A throttle lock-out and a muffler shield are installed to protect you from accidents.
Having so many good features, in return, Maxtra Gas Pole Saw is very heavy – up to 21 lbs when fully filled with fuel, and very loud – the sound level pressure of the saw can reach 91 dB. You should wear protection accessories in order not to damage your ear.
Product Specifications
| Max Cutting Thickness | 10 inches |
| Telescoping Pole Length | 8.2 ft – 11.4 ft |
| Reach | 16.5 ft |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs without fuel |
| Engine displacement | 42.7 cc |
| Highlight features | Anti-Slip & Anti- rotation hand bar, Shoulder Strap, Air filter, 2-position-choke, Throttle lock-out, muffler shield |
Maxtra Gas Pole Saw is the longest gas pole saw for heavy-duty tree pruning tasks.
Trimmer Plus Tpp720 – Best for The Money
Pros
- Extra Body Attachment
- Low noise
- Automatic Oiler
- Affordable
Cons
- Less powered
TrimmerPlus TPP720 is a great gas pole saw at a very affordable price. It has a good build – It is lightweight, shows not so much vibration, and has low noise. The pole saw also has a good reach – 12 ft, and you can use the saw with other poles for a better reach.
However, a big drawback of TrimmerPlus TPP720 is that it’s not so powerful. The saw can cut chucks up to 4″ in diameter. So you should only use this tool for trimming high branches and cutting off small logs.
Product Specifications
| Max Cutting Thickness | 4 inches |
| Telescoping Pole Length | 7 ft |
| Reach | 12 ft |
| Weight | 7.15 lbs without fuel |
| Engine displacement | Not provided |
| Highlight features | Automatic oiler |
TrimmerPlus TPP720 is an affordable gas pole saw that’s suitable for light tree pruning tasks.
Longest Manual Pole Saws
Besides power pole saws, you might want to consider manual pole saws. They require a lot of effort, so just suitable for light tasks like pruning small soft branches.
Manual pole saws also have some advantages. They usually are much lighter, cheaper, and longer than power pole saws – A manual pole saw typically weight less than 10 lbs and can reach up to more than 20 feet.
Jameson Ls-6 Pkg-6 – Best Overall
Pros
- Sturdy and durable
- Long 18-foot reach
- Barracuda Tri-cut saw blade
Cons
- Heavy
- Uncomfortable grip
Being made of solid wood makes Jameson LS-6PKG-6 sturdy and durable, also quite heavy. However, since it has the center of gravity below the midpoint, you can operate it easily.
The system of three 6′ poles and a 16-inch saw blade give the max reach of 18 feet – a range most power pole saws aren’t capable of. The Barracuda Tri-cut saw blade inspired from the large, predatory tropical marine fish with a slender body and large teeth gives quicker, cleaner cuts.
Jameson LS-6PKG-6 has some downsides. It doesn’t have a comfortable ergonomically-designed grip. You might feel not enough stability that you need. Maybe a pair of gloves can solve this issue.
Product Specifications
| Telescoping Pole Length | Three 6′ Poles |
| Reach | 18 ft |
| Weight | 10 lbs |
| Material | Wood |
| Highlight features | 16-inch Barracuda Tri-cut saw blade |
Jameson LS-6PKG-6 is a sturdy and durable manual pole saw that’s capable of heavy-duty jobs and commercial applications.
Silky 179-39 – Top Rated
Pros
- Has the longest reach – 26 ft
- The blade has a hook
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
Silky 179-39 has a 4-pole system that can extend to a length of 8 feet to 21 feet, giving you a maximum working distance of 26 feet – the longest distance pole saws can reach.
The blade is made of Sk4 high carbon steel metal and has 5.5 teeth per inch teeth configuration. It also has a hook on the tip for you to pull weeds or sawed branches out of a tree more easily.
Although Silky 179-39 is the longest pole saw, it’s very lightweight thanks to the aluminum material of the pole.
Product Specifications
| Telescoping Pole Length | Four 5.25′ Poles |
| Reach | 26 ft |
| Weight | 6.9 pounds |
| Material | Aluminum, rubber |
| Highlight features | No |
Silky 179-39 is the longest pole saw that can be used for all landscaping needs.
How to Choose the Longest Pole Saw (Buying Guide)
There are four types of pole saws:
- Corded electric pole saws: Suitable for homeowners to get all kinds of tasks done. They are powerful, lightweight, and have reasonable prices.
- Cordless battery pole saws: Suitable for light to medium tasks. They are portable, convenient, and quiet.
- Gas-powered pole saws: Suitable for commercial uses thanks to their superpower and capacity.
- Manual pole saws: Suitable for men who want to involve in yard work and feel the jobs by their own hands.
Pick a type that suits you, and consider these specifications:
- Max Cutting Thickness: If your purpose is just light to medium work, a max cutting thickness capacity of 4 – 5 inches is enough. If you intend to do some commercial uses, you’d better chose a pole saw that can cut through above 10-inch logs.
- Max Reach: If the pole saw can’t reach the targeted branches, you’ll have to use an additional ladder, which causes a lot more risk and inconvenience.
- Weight: The heavier the pole saw is, the more effort it requires. You should choose a pole saw that’s not so heavy and, if possible, well balanced (top-heavy pole saws make the job a lot harder).
Who Makes Good Pole Saws?
Sun Joe
Snow Joe and Sun Joe were founded in 2004 as a manufacturer of cleaning equipment. They are famous for their innovation and high quality but still affordable.
They have a wide range of products from lawn mowers, trimmers, tillers, to snow blowers, especially pole saws. Snow Joe and Sun Joe have some great models of corded pole saws for tree pruning that you should have a look at.
BLACK+DECKER
Black & Decker is a producer of power tools and accessories for both household tasks and industrial work, located in the US. Having more than 100 years of experience, Black & Decker has been so famous for its quality and innovation.
Black & Decker is really good at making cordless tools. If you are about to purchase a cordless pole saw, you definitely should consider Black & Decker’s models.
Silky
Silky is a saw crafting manufacturer headquartered in Ono Japan, home to the greatest cutlery craft-makers. In the wood-saw industry, Silky has been the leader in both design and innovation since the early 1900s. At present, Silky products are holding the highest standard of quality, endurance, and cutting efficiency that none can match.
Silky saws are distributed in the USA and Central America by Sherrill, Inc. For the best manual pole saws, you should have a look at Silky’s products.
FAQs
Are Electric Pole Saws as Good as Gas?
If you want a medium-powerful pole saw that’s also lightweight, less quiet, and don’t emit, you should choose an electric pole saw. If you want a super powerful and portable pole saw, you should choose a gas pole saw. There are also electric pole saws that are as powerful as, but less expensive than, gas models.
Can You Trim Hedges with A Pole Saw?
Pole saws are chainsaws. They can trim hedges, however, they won’t be as effective as a hedge trimmer. To avoid damaging the saws, you shouldn’t do this often.
What Safety Gear Should You Wear when Using a Pole Saw?
1. Protective clothes, head, and face gears to protect you from flying debris, dirt, or pole saw mishaps.
2. Gloves protect your hands from dirt, debris, falling branches, or chainsaw mishaps.
3. And hearing protection protects your hearing from the noise of the saw in operating.
Can You Use a Pole Saw on A Ladder?
Yes, you can. But you’d better be careful. Or you can call a professional if the task is so hard.
How Do I Know if The Chain Tension Is Correct?
If you can’t pull the drive links out of the bar nose, the chain tension is correct.
Conclusion
In conclusion,the best longest pole saws for tree pruning are the ones that provide you with the most comfort and efficiency when using them. Whether it is a manual, electrical, or cordless saw, each one has its own unique features to ensure your safety and convenience while pruning trees. The right model should be selected based on the size of the tree and your own preferences. Consider buying a long pole saw with sharp blades, a lightweight design, and adjustable poles for better leverage.