There’s an orange non-slip base at the end of the tool which allows for a better two-handed grip, but it does more than serve as a gripping surface. To further extend teach, it’s possible to hold the pole pruner near its base. But if you we that, how can we reach the sliding handle midway along the shaft you may ask?

Since long reach tree pruning can be a physically demanding task, it’s crucial to consider the weight and ergonomics of the pruner. Look for lightweight models that won’t strain your arms and shoulders during prolonged use. Ergonomic features such as cushioned grips and adjustable handles can significantly enhance comfort and reduce fatigue. Testing the pruner’s balance and maneuverability before purchasing is advisable to ensure it suits your physical capabilities. Blade Quality and Maintenance The cutting head is shipped covered with a protective clear plastic case which uses two snap clips on the long edge and one on the short edge to close shut. The third tree I tested the pruners on were a white sapote, which tends to have ragged fibrous edges on the pruning cuts when tools aren’t sharp enough, and I managed nice clean pruning cuts on this tree also. More on this tree in a moment! Unless you want a workout, sore arms and painful shoulders, I suggest you buy lightweight pruners if possible. Holding a heavy pole above your head isn’t an issue if you do it once but could be painful and awkward if you’re doing it all day. 4) Consider a telescopic pruner with a saw attachment

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For shorter trees and bushes, look for telescopic tree pruners with a maximum extension length of around 2m, and a shorter setting closer to 1m . These heights will provide sufficient versatility without requiring the use of a ladder. This pruning tool also comes with a good quality blade cover so you can protect the blade from damage when not in use. Nevertheless, weighing just under 1 kg, it’s one of the best telescopic tree pruners in terms of manageability; not only because it’s easy to hold, but also because it’s well balanced and allows good control whilst pruning.

Manufacturers often overstate how high you can safely prune branches and while I’m 6ft2 and with a long reach, I was unable to reach any of the stated heights, even when I was standing on my toes! I suggest you look at the extended length of the pole rather than the “up to” cutting height, which is an estimate. 2) Only choose a cheap product for occasional use, they aren’t built to the same quality The extending handle is made from aluminium making it lighter than other models to use. The blades are super strong and sharp and can easily cut through branches and growth up to 30mm in diameter. The angled head makes light work of cutting hard to get to branches and vertical growth. Manual tree pruners are best if you’ll be cutting lots of fresh, live stems and branches . We’re talking bushes, hedges and young trees. In most instances, I recommend looking for pruners that have a cutting diameter of around 2.5cm – this will be suitable for most domestic pruning jobs. The gear ratio is a large 12:1, which means that you only have to apply a little force yourself to get significant cutting power. There’s no problem cutting branches as wide as 33mm in diameter. If your cut branches get tangled up in the tree, use the innovative hook just below the cutting head to just pull them down. There’s also an internal pulling strap to make sure that the lopper itself doesn’t become caught up in the branches. Most telescopic tree pruners for residential use will extend up to approximately 2 m. This tends to give enough reach for the majority of small trees and bushes without needing to use a step or telescopic ladder. Of course, if you have some trees that are slightly larger, you will be able to use the pruner in conjunction with a ladder as well. However, for the most part you won’t need to.They are also fairly comfortable to hold, although noticeably less strong when fully extended. There’s a comfortable non-slip foam grip at the end and in the middle of the handle, so it can be operated with two hands. It’s lightweight at only 2.1kg (4.6lbs), which is important as I recently spent the best part of two whole days pruning dozens of trees and bushes. I’ve seen competing products that weigh double and even triple this and I can only imagine how much arm ache the user would experience! The handle extends from 1.37 m to 2.5 m, so you can neaten up hedges as well as tall trees. Weighing just 1 kg in total, it’s easy to use these pruners comfortably for long periods of time.

One small criticism would be with the number of plastic components on the pruners. Both the extender mechanism, and the cutting head angle adjuster, are plastic, which seems less durable than if all the important parts were made from metal. There are also pruners on the market which extend further, up to 4m, and are ideal for taller trees. PowerGear X Telescopic pruning shears for fresh, young shoots, branches, and twigs up to Ø 3.2 cm in treetops and dense shrubs - without the help of a ladder - with a maximum total reach of 6 m when being usedThe Draper Expert Telescopic Tree Pruner is a lightweight pruner that extends to a respectable 2.5m to accomplish most tree and bush pruning tasks in the domestic garden. Its price fits most budgets yet it’s still a quality model. Here’s the completed tree, pruned down to around 2m (6’) high, a much more manageable and very productive height for home garden fruit trees. Long reach tree pruners typically employ one of two cutting mechanisms: bypass or anvil. Bypass pruners feature two curved blades that pass by each other, providing a clean and precise cut, making them ideal for live branches. Anvil pruners, on the other hand, have a single cutting blade that closes against a flat surface, allowing for easier cutting of dead or dry branches. Consider your specific pruning needs and choose a pruner with a cutting mechanism appropriate for the type of branches you’ll be working with. Weight and Ergonomics The UPX86 long reach pruner has a whopping extra long reach of 4 metres fully extended, allowing for most tasks a home owner might need to do before calling out a tree surgeon. Add 4 metres to your own reach and it’s possible to reach 6m with this extended tree trimmer.