Using a Pole Saw In The Tree?

[TreeTopKid]

Mike if I have to climb a medium size tree for trimming I use a ladder to get past the trunk wood then a two stick pruner(8 foot poles) That's 16 feet plus the head and run a loop knot and drop it over the desired branch and pull it down with the hook on the pruner. Large tree's I use the big shot and mars bars. Pole saws are not for use in a tree too big and awkward. I use the pole saw mainly for grabbing lower branches and getting the crew started working.

What about older trees with masses of living brittle wood at the ends?

 

[Tree Machine]

What about older trees with masses of living brittle wood at the ends?

Pole pruner, without a doubt. Tips are about impossible with a polesaw due to the small diameter and the fact that they move as you move the polesaw. Those areas are just too small to reach climbing and using a handsaw, and tend to be numerous over a general area. A pole pruner (once again, a bull lopper, not the cheezyazz single-action toy pruners) is an excellent option to be in in one spot within the tree and be able to prune a 15-20 foot radius from where you stand with a great deal of accuracy, swiftness, control and quality of cut.

I do a lot of work over wires where the material needs to be controlled, as well as cut. The pole pruner offers a lot of options, beyond just the cut itself.

But I digress. This thread isn't about pole pruners.

 

[Rickytree]

TreetopKid that usually doesn't happen often but when it does usually I can reach it by hand or use the pruner to snap it out. If I can't reach it by hand I bring the branch back to where I can. Using the polesaw how can you geta proper cut at the end of the branch. It's impossible!

 

[Rickytree]

Hey Tree Machine! I agree wit you. Hey l like the pic with the nuns. Give me the number of the one holdin the fur bag. Nice teeth, Question are they her's? Well I gota go Hell's calling me!

 

[TreeTopKid]

I.

But I digress. This thread isn't about pole pruners.

Actually TM I was referring not to the tips but dead wood etc located in the outer regions of these brittle limbs we've got 4500 Live Oaks of a similar age and many of them are in this condition. I was with the original topic and actually asking Ricky whether he thought a pole saw is essential for this type of application. I assumed that pole pruner in his post meant a pole saw, but neglected to mention it as I thought it was a little slip of the tongue.

 

[TreeTopKid]

TreetopKid that usually doesn't happen often but when it does usually I can reach it by hand or use the pruner to snap it out. If I can't reach it by hand I bring the branch back to where I can. Using the polesaw how can you geta proper cut at the end of the branch. It's impossible!

I agree, but sometimes depending on the condition of the branch overall I will prune further back with the pole saw. Generally I take the maximum acceptable risk with a chainsaw as you can obviously be more accurate. In a large tree that is healthy and generating masses of annual growth the amount that can be removed with a pole pruner is insufficient to have a lasting effect. On the other hand if it is not in good enough condition to climb a pole pruner can be useful some times but you have to ask yourself about the viability of the limb with regards to safety, and you may be better pruning further back with a chainsaw or pole saw.