No Branch is out of your Reach!

Imagine a beautiful, lush, well maintained garden. Not a blade of grass out of position. All edges neatly trimmed. Bushes pruned, and hedges cut into beautiful shapes. Then you see it. The palm tree with brown leaves hanging. The beautiful trees with branches hanging on the roof.

It's frustrating when there's a branch you can't get to it. Ladders are fine, but pruning requires stability and balance. Some clever person came up with pole pruners. How brilliant to attach a long handle to a saw blade.

There are various different types of pole pruners.

The rope and pulley system works well for thinner branches. You don’t actually have to move the pole, but getting it in the right place can be challenge enough. Once it's in position, you work the rope, which works the blade.

Extendable pole saws fitted with high quality curved blades work extremely well for palm trees, and thicker branches. Make sure the saw works on a pulling action. This enables you to cut with the least amount of effort. Some models extend over six meters, with light weight aluminum poles, comfort grip and replaceable blades.

Petrol driven pole saws are basically a chainsaw on a long pole. Several models extend up to 3 meters. These pole saws are fitted with a guidebar and chain similar to a chainsaw. They are powered by petrol driven engines. Thanks to the long reach, the well-balanced design, a harness, and the location of the engine unit, you can work in a comfortable position.

Remember never to cut close to electrical wires, and don’t stand directly underneath the branch you are cutting.

- Article as supplied for SA Gardening April 2008