Best Manual Pole Saws of 2022

What is a manual pole saw?

A manual pole saw is a tree trimming tool consisting of a saw attached to the end of a long pole. This tool allows you to trim or prune tree limbs without the need for a ladder. Typically, a manual pole saw is perfect for small gardens with few trees, whereas a powered pole saw is a better option for larger gardens with lots of trees.

Pole saw vs. tree pruner. Is there a difference?

When talking about tree trimming or pruning, most people use the terms pole saw and tree pruner interchangeably. However, as any gardener or landscaper might tell you, they designate two different tools.

• Pole saws: Are the tools described above, and are typically used for trimming the affected limbs off your trees or shrubs. This operation can be carried out in any season, as soon as you see an unhealthy or broken branch. Pole saws are also used for pruning thick branches.
• Tree pruners: Are inspired by the pruning shears rather than the saws. This tool is used for pruning thinner limbs in early spring or fall, but are not suitable for trimming. Unlike saws, tree pruners provide cleaner cuts, allowing the tree limbs to heal faster after cutting. Some of the best manual pole saws allow you to replace the saw blade with a pruner, so you can prune both thinner and thicker branches with the same tool.

Manual vs. electric tree pruner. Which one should you get?

While manual tree pruners require you to use your force to cut the tree limbs, electric tree pruners are more similar to the electric chainsaws, cutting even through the thicker limbs effortlessly.

Whether you need a manual or electric tree pruner is often a matter of work volume.

If you have a small garden with few trees, a manual tree pruner should suffice. However, if the trees are old and have very thick limbs, an electric tree pruner can help you trim them faster. An electric tree pruner is also a better choice if you have a large garden with a lot of trees.

How to use a manual pole saw for tree trimming?

Trimming some branches with a manual pole saw isn’t complicated. If you’ve never used such a tool before, follow the quick steps below:

1. Clear the area below the branch of all trip hazards, including fallen branches or slippery material, and take note of all fixed obstacles, such as exposed roots. This preliminary step will help you acknowledge the area so that you can move quickly around it.
2. If possible, measure the distance from your height to the branch you want to cut. Make sure the telescopic tree pruner can reach the branch without the need for a ladder.
3. With both hands, bring the pole to a vertical position, then wait until it balances. Once you’ve gained control of its weight, position the saw on the limb you want to cut.
4. Without letting go of the tool, move to a spot where you can position its end at your chest level. At this stage, your pole saw must be positioned at an angle between you and the tree limb, rather than vertical.
5. Start making the first strokes slowly, keeping the pole saw perpendicular to the branch. This step will help you make a groove into the branch so that you can continue cutting faster.
6. Once the saw is secured into the groove, increase your cutting speed. Make sure to keep an eye on the branch constantly, so you can safely retreat before it falls to the ground. Clean the area and continue trimming any other branches, following the same steps.

Best tree trimming tools – which ones should you have in your shed?

Manual pole saws are essential tree trimming tools, but not the only ones. For a job done right, you should also have a variety of other tools, such as:

• Electric chainsaw: An electric chainsaw comes in handy when you have to cut lower but thicker branches. Some chainsaws can even be mounted on a pole, replacing the manual saw. In this way, they can transform your manual pole saw into a powered pole saw quickly and easily. Electric chainsaws are usually ideal for thick branches, with a diameter larger than 5-7 inches.
• Tree looper: This manual tool is nothing but a pruner with long handles. They can usually handle branches with a diameter of about 2 inches, while the long handles give you leverage.
• Pruning shears: Similar to the looper but with short handles, the pruning shears are ideal for trimming low, thin branches with a diameter of 2 inches or less. Some pruners are also compatible for use with poles, so you can prune higher branches without the need for a ladder.
• Chipper shredder: While not directly involved in limb trimming, a chipper shredder allows you to get rid of the branches without actually wasting them. Indeed, this tool turns all cut limbs into valuable wood-chip mulch.

Features to look for in manual pole saws

Unless you’re a landscaper, finding the best manual pole saw from the variety of tools on the market can be hard. These are a few important features you should check before buying, to make sure the tool you get is worth your money.

• Weight: Unlike powered pole saws that can do all the cutting on their own, manual pole saws require you to hold, balance, and actually use them to trim or prune tree limbs. For this reason, you should get a lightweight pole saw. Ideally, it should come with an aluminum shaft, and it shouldn’t weigh more than 6 pounds.
• Versatility: Depending on your needs, you can get a simple pole saw, or a two-in-one tool that turns into a pole tree pruner or handheld saw.
• Reach: A thing to keep in mind when controlling the pole reach is that most manufacturers include the reach of your arm when expressing the range of their tools. In other words, when you buy a pole saw with a reach of 10 feet, it’s 10 feet including your arm’s length. That’s something to keep in mind if you have really tall trees.
• Telescopic pole: While most pole saws come with telescopic poles, don’t take it for granted. Some have fixes poles, that will make it hard to trim or prune at different heights, and especially difficult to cut lower limbs.
• Saw blade: Another thing that’s essential to check is the saw blade. The best pole saws come with steel blades that are long enough to allow you to cut branches of at least 5 inches in diameter. The blade should also be treated with anti-corrosive and anti-rust agents, or you might have to change your pole saw season after season.

Best Manual Pole Saw for the Money

Best value

Fiskars 92406935K 7.9-12 Foot Extendable Tree Pruning Stik Pruner

Best 2-in-1 tree pruner pole saw

A telescopic pole saw and tree pruner designed with residential users in mind.

Check price on Amazon