How to use a pole saw? To cut high branches

What is a pole saw and where do you use it?

According to Aaron Barnett of BangingToolbox: A pole saw is basically a saw on a pole. It can either be powered (E.G small chainsaws) or (hand) non-powered. Powered pole saws can be electric, battery-powered, or run on gas.

Originally designed as gardening tools mainly for pruning, pole saws have since evolved and have seen use in other areas and fields, including roadside cleaning and emergency response.

Though less common, their superior reach grants them certain advantages over traditional chainsaws and most other conventional garden tools for cutting high branches.

Uses of a pole saw

So, what do you use a pole saw for? There are different ways how to use a pole saw:

1. Cutting branches

Avoid overusing manual shears, hand saws, and a ladder. Using a pole saw makes it easier to reach high and cut even thick branches.

This also eliminates the need to climb up a tree as well as removes the risk of falling.

2. Pruning trees

Pruning is usually done after the colder seasons. This is to help the tree grow healthier and fuller leaves.

Pruning is also an essential maintenance step when wanting to give tree canopies an intended shape.

3. Clearing bushes

Certain bushes can grow tall. Using a pole saw to clear these unwanted bushes is both efficient and safe as some bushes that have grown too thick can often house harmful insects and thorny branches.

4. Trimming trees

Think of this as tree-grooming. Removing deep, unwanted roots or removing dead vines and rotten branches that are high up are made trivial with a pole saw; even more so with powered ones.

Things to know about pole saws

Starting mechanisms available

There are powered and manual pole saws. Remember that these tools serve the purpose of getting to far-reaching areas and thus have the cutting chain or edge at the tip of the extendable poles. Some key characteristics:

• Straight and angled saw heads provide versatile cutting options.
• Some pole saws come as attachments. 
• Blade length and teeth count on both powered and non-powered pole saws are relatively higher compared to other saw blades.

Sources of power

A pole saw can be electric, gas, hydraulic, or non-powered. Below is a quick rundown of each.

Electric – Pole saws powered by electricity. Can be corded or cordless. Light to medium-duty tasks. 

Gas – Pole saws equipped with a gas motor perfect for heavy-duty tasks. Runs longer and is usually operated via a variable power trigger. 

Manual – The most basic pole saw. Primitive, yet effective in certain scenarios where control and flexibility are better than raw power.

Rods

Also known as the poles, these can range anywhere between 6 – 15 feet, with some models having adjustable rods. The longer the pole, the greater your reach.

Anti-vibration system

Certain powered pole saws, such as those by Husqvarna, feature anti-vibration handles that reduce or even completely eliminate vibration, thereby allowing for better control with less fatigue.

Pole saws vs chainsaws

While both are used for gardening and landscaping. A pole saw is used to shape and clean up high hard-to-reach garden elements safely and effectively, while a chainsaw is used to cut down trees and process timber already on the ground. Here are a few distinctions: 

Pole saws

Advantages

• Longer reach.
• Lighter and more portable.
• Easier to control/ handle.
• More novice-friendly as the user is far from the operating blade.
• Less noise and vibration.

Disadvantages

• Powered pole saws can sometimes jam.
• Powered pole saws mainly use smaller bar sizes. 
• Overall shorter operating time. 
• Less variated use.

Chainsaws

Advantages

• Overall more powerful and effective.
• Over pole saws, chainsaws can operate for longer periods and with less interruption/jamming. 
• More versatile. 
• Are more rigid and durable.

Disadvantages

• Reach is mainly affected by bar size/length and then users’ arm’s length. 
• Noisier and produces more vibrations. 
• Can be difficult to use for beginners. 
• Harder to handle and requires occasional refilling (for gas-powered ones).

Manual vs gas vs battery operated pole saws

Safety precautions before using a pole saw

• Especially for first-timers, read the guide/manual before attempting to operate as it allows you to familiarize yourself with the tool’s components and mechanisms. 
• Make sure to wear the proper safety gear, especially gloves, hearing protection, and safety goggles [1]. 
• Inspect your pole saw before use. Make sure it’s clean and clear of any foreign material that may affect performance.
• Inspect the area. Make sure it’s obstacle-free and that there are no hazards in the way of you and falling branches. 
• Keep firm footing and remember to hold upright and to never cut directly above yourself

Preparing the pole saw

• Plan where you need to make cuts. Whether trimming, pruning, or de-branching, planning beforehand makes all of them faster and smoother. 
• Prep the work area. Clear any obstacles and potential trip hazards.
• If you’re using a manual pole saw, clean the blades prior and make sure it’s nice and sharp.
• For powered saws, inspect the motor and blade heads. Make sure nothing will catch the blades and hinder performance. 
• Adjust pole length accordingly and be sure to correctly line the blade. 
• Routine maintenance should be done prior to the intended use. Properly lubricate powered pole saws and tighten the chain if there is one.

How to use a manual pole saw?

If you know how to use a  knife, then using a manual pole saw isn’t too different. 

1. Plan your cuts. Start with low branches first, moving your way up to higher ones.
2. Line up the blade with the branch, making your cut nearest its base.
3. Gripping the long handle, hold it upright and plant your feet
4. Just like a regular saw, ‘stroke’ the blade across until the branch falls off.
5. Keep in mind that cuts are made in the down-stroke.

How do you use a cordless pole saw?

Having ever used a chainsaw makes using one of these easier as they’re basically small chainsaws but instead of a normal grip, you have a very long pole.

1. Plan your cuts and clear the work area.
2. Prep the pole saw and finish assembly (if required). Make sure that everything is securely fastened in place.
3. Apply any lubrication before use (I.E bar chain oil, etc.).
4. Plugin the battery and line it up.
5. Pull back on the trigger (or switch) and make your cut/s.
6. Remember to not pull back on the pole saw too much as it may cause the blade to stick. And cut from the top down.

Tips for using gas pole saw

They’re like cordless pole saws, only that they pack a lot more punch. Of all the pole saw types, these have longer runtimes and are the heaviest but are not necessarily the best. Keep a couple of things in mind:

1. The most important thing is to always mind your footing and grip. These tools can be top-heavy, so never let your arms go over your head.
2. Allow the chains to cut for you and don’t force it. Maintain control throughout a cut and adjust the throttle as needed.
3. Make sure to apply any pre-work lubrication.
4. Do routine maintenance on the chainsaw head.

Can you use a pole saw with a rope?

To get rid of any confusion, certain pole saws are actually 2-in-1 pruning saws too.

These often have ropes or strings that are hooked onto a spring-loaded mechanism that easily cuts smaller branches.

If you know how to use a pole saw with a strap, it will help give you more control over manual pole saws. 

However, in relation to that, using braided rope along with a pole saw to reach limbs a rope can be used to keep pressure downward on the cuts if the tool is viable and too high up to manually apply downwards pressure.

Here’s how to use a pole saw with rope:

1. Layout and set up a rope system relative to your planned cuts. You’ll still want to maintain an angled cutting position even once your pole saw is off the ground.
2. Make sure that your saw’s rope layout won’t end up entangling you or the pole saw. Design a seamless up and down adjustment of position.

Tips for felling branches

• Clear the area below. The area beneath where you wish to fell. branches must be totally free of people, objects, and debris. The area must also be sealed off until you are done. 
• Do sectional or jump cuts to reduce the weight of larger, heavier branches. 
• Position the saw to a degree where it’s easy and comfortable for you to control its weight.
• Always cut at an angle and never directly overhead.

Tips after using a pole saw

• If you’re using a powered model, remember to always release the trigger or completely turn off the saw before lowering it.
• Clean up the area of fallen branches and twigs as they can be hazardous later on if left alone.
• Clean up the pole saw. After use, make sure that there is nothing stuck on the teeth of the blades. For powered models, give them a first class blow and quick clean to remove traces of dust and wood bits.

How to maintain pole saws?

• Always make sure that the chain oil reservoir is filled before each use.
• Always tighten any loose screws, nuts, and bolts. 
• Regularly inspect your pole saw for wear and tear and replace worn-out parts as needed.
• Regularly sharpen the chain blade and appropriately adjust the tension before and after use (loosen as the saw cools) [2]. 
• Clean the tool after each use with a damp cloth. And properly lube the guide bar 

Can you use a pole saw as a hedge trimmer?

Not ideally. While using a pole saw to trim hedges can be useful for reaching far away areas, they’re not really intended for this.

Hedges are usually made up of thin, clumped-up stems hidden behind a facade of leaves, making hedge trimmers the more viable option as they can better shape hedges whereas pole saws would most likely end up damaging them. 

Can you use a pole saw underwater?

It’s not recommended that you use a pole saw to cut branches underwater. But if you’re trying to cut a root or branch somehow submerged under 10ft of water. Such as on a lake or river edge.

You have to consider your options, but for the sake of your loved tools use a manual saw.

You need to look at the inner workings of your gas pole saw and decide if the parts submerged are only mechanical and not electrical. Then decide if it’s worth the cut you need to do at the long-term damage water can do such as full tool failure.

Most chainsaws, even gas-powered ones, aren’t 100% waterproof, so completely submerging a pole saw will most likely just end up wrecking it. 

There’s really no instance that you should use your pole saw underwater.

Although I have heard of someone using a cordless DeWalt angle grinder underwater in the sea with a plastic bag over the motor.

It lasted long enough to make the cut before breaking. So let us know how it goes.

Can you use a pole saw to chop a stump?

Alternative to pole saws

The pole saw is already the alternative for far-reach cutting, so finding an alternative to it is a bit of a step back. You can go with the old-school ladder and saw combination, but this is riskier since you can potentially fall. 

One unconventional alternative is using a rope chain. Basically a straight chainsaw blade with 20ft of rope attached to either side.

Which can effectively saw off limbs located 20ft up and over. You’ll just need a first class throw and a first class arm so that you can pull on the rope chain in a nice cutting rhythm, you will have gravity on your side but don’t get too tired.

Nevertheless, here’s a first class list of saw types that you can use for your other projects .

Got a plenty of backyard to trim?

Anyone with a big backyard will definitely benefit from owning a pole saw. Pruning and trimming tall trees and bushes will become trivial matters with one of these. Gone will be the days of using a pole saw on a ladder to get to those pesky, hard-to-reaching branches.

Though they’re not as much a staple as other garden tools, they can really add to the scope and versatility of your gardening and landscaping capabilities.

Here’s a quick guide for down cutting trees .