One of the reasons I considered buying the echo is because I was under the impression you could add extensions to them. I got a great deal on the stihl used, that was a no brainer for my first gas powered pole saw; figured I'd just go from there, I'm still there lol.
Where you at.
Watch out for Canadians and Montanans.
Mike, keep us posted on how the finish holds up? Nothing I've tried holds up long outside. Here's my fire pit bench, much the same as yours. I hung the mill on a ladder to cut the notches in the rounds. The bench came out almost perfectly square to the notches, I just hit them with a flap disc. This one is about ten years old and is holding up well. I put the rounds on square concrete pavers to keep it out of the dirt. They have a little rot starting at the base, but will take a long time to become un serviceable. You could get a dumpster in a bag for $29 at Lowes. I use them to cover everything I leave outside. The two people sitting on the ends even get a beer can holder.
I have a Corona manual pole pruner and a stihl gas one even though I'm an echo guy. The stihl works great just hard on the old shoulders. Wish it could reach another 3-5' being a lil guy at 5'4".
Yes I do. I have done alot of calibers.
In other threads, some people have shared an opinion that they think the larger diameter ECHO shaft may be sturdier, and less prone to damage.
Looks like maybe some type of maple to me. Almost sugar maple.
My be a maple problem is no leaves on the tree and there are at least a dozen different type leaves on the ground around it .
Jumped a doe and 8 pt buck. The buck is standing just behind the doe about 30 yards in the woods. 
