TIL a telescoping pole saw makes pruning way faster for me

Olivia Davis · 2026-07-14T22:05:05.029597+00:00

I've been using a ladder and hand pruners for years to trim my clients' taller oaks and maples. Last week I borrowed a 16 foot telescoping pole saw from a buddy to save time on a big job. I figured it would be awkward and slow but I got through 5 trees in 2 hours instead of 4. Has anyone else switched to a pole saw for high branches and felt like it changed your whole workflow?

emery102mo ago

Betty saying 5 trees in 2 hours isn't impressive got me thinking. Actually last spring my neighbor's kid borrowed my pole saw to get a frisbee out of a tree and ended up taking down half the branch with it, plus the frisbee. So honestly any day you don't accidentally create more work for yourself with one of those things is a win in my book.

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betty_perry242mo ago

5 trees in 2 hours isn't that impressive for a pole saw.

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ray_sullivan2mo ago

Yeah I was the same way honestly. My buddy kept telling me to get one for years and I always thought nah, ladders fine, I've been doing it this way forever. But I finally broke down and grabbed a 12 footer from Home Depot last spring and man, I was wrong. I used to spend all day on a single big maple and now I can knock out 3 or 4 in the same time. The reach makes it way easier to get clean cuts too, instead of fighting with a ladder and trying to angle the pruners. It's not perfect for everything, like really thick limbs still need a saw, but for 90% of the work it's a total game changer.

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