Always used pole pruners for high limbs until a climbing buddy made me switch

I was dead set on using my 12-foot pole pruner for everything above head height, even if it meant awkward angles and messy cuts. Then Tom from the shop in Portland showed me how he climbs up with a handsaw and makes clean, precise cuts right at the collar. He said 'you're leaving stubs and tearing bark every time with that pole thing, just go up there.' Tried it on a big maple branch last Tuesday and the difference was night and day - less effort, better healing for the tree. Anyone else switch tools after watching someone else work?

2 comments

2 Comments

milesj7026d ago

Used to swear by pole pruners for anything over 8 feet, figured climbing was just for show. Watched a buddy take down a branch in half the time with a hand saw and no leaves stripped off. That convinced me to leave the pole in the shed and start carrying a climbing rope instead.

matthews2126d ago

Man that line "no leaves stripped off" is really the thing that got me thinking. I've noticed this pattern everywhere not just in tree work. People will buy some fancy tool or gadget to save a little effort but end up making the job harder and slower. @milesj70 your buddy figured out the real shortcut is just learning the basic skill better instead of buying a shortcut. Same thing happened with me and cooking, bought all these expensive kitchen gadgets but the best meals come from a good knife and knowing how to use it. We all get sold on the gear when the answer is usually just doing the thing right the first time.