DeWalt reciprocating saw is a beast. Got a cheap set of old 18V DeWalt tools for my dad he never used anything but the drill from so I got the 20V battery adapter for them to go with my 20V batteries and took the reciprocating and circular saw for myself. Saw some videos of cutting fairly heavy metal pipe with a carbide blade and didn't believe they could actually cut thicker metal that well but man they're impressive with those carbide blades. Go through half inch solid rod like nothing and great for flushcutting any old metal pipes set in concrete (clotheslines, etc) you want to get rid of. And good with pruning blades around the yard and like you say, on roots.For small stuff, dirty stuff, roots, can't beat a pruning blade in a battery reciprocating saw.