Lopping some high and far branches
Discussion
Ken_Code said:
I need to lop some branches that are up to a couple of metres above head height, and done others that are a couple of metres out from a balcony.
They are up to about 10cm diameter, is there a reasonably-priced tool to do this? Something like a ratcheting cropper on the end of a pole?
I did this job today!They are up to about 10cm diameter, is there a reasonably-priced tool to do this? Something like a ratcheting cropper on the end of a pole?
Fortunately my neighbour works with arborits so I managed to borrow his gear.
The gear I used is simple enough, like this:
https://www.diy.com/departments/telescopic-extenda...
But as it is used in the trade, probably much better quality.
The cutting motion gets more haphazard as you extend the pole, but with some effort branches upto 10cm were able to be lopped off.
This looks good if you can find a UK supplier
https://garden.hivefly.com/fiskars-14-foot-tree-pr...
Ken_Code said:
I need to lop some branches that are up to a couple of metres above head height, and done others that are a couple of metres out from a balcony.
They are up to about 10cm diameter, is there a reasonably-priced tool to do this? Something like a ratcheting cropper on the end of a pole?
Those long handled tools are unwieldy going vertically up, but a whole new level of hard to use when you go beyond 45 degrees off vertical.They are up to about 10cm diameter, is there a reasonably-priced tool to do this? Something like a ratcheting cropper on the end of a pole?
I have an 8m telescopic saw/lopper (from Amazon) and have used it at full length to saw some branches. It works surprisingly well.
Sawing downwards is ok if you can get a 45 degree angle on the pole and let gravity keep it in place whilst using a bit of force to push it into the wood. Anything other than a vertically downwards cut is impossible at that length.
Sawing downwards is ok if you can get a 45 degree angle on the pole and let gravity keep it in place whilst using a bit of force to push it into the wood. Anything other than a vertically downwards cut is impossible at that length.
SunsetZed said:
Radec said:
I've got the Spears and Jackson telescopic looper from Screwfix, currently £34.
Very good once you get the hang of it, which doesn't take long.
The attached saw is good for thicker branches.
I cut back a tall tree quite quickly with it.
Me too, works perfectly once a year!Very good once you get the hang of it, which doesn't take long.
The attached saw is good for thicker branches.
I cut back a tall tree quite quickly with it.
But since getting a cordless pole pruner/chainsaw, it's been gathering dust. Well worth the £100 ish, and has over 4m of reach before getting "creative".
Silvanus said:
I use a Silky Hayauchi, extends to over 6m. Saw and lopper attachment are great for when you don't want to get the ladder out or go for a climb.
^^^^This - all day long.
When we moved into our current house 18 years ago, we got in a (very good) tree surgeon to reduce the size of a large weeping willow which was overhanging the neighbours' gardens on both sides.
It was great to watch them working high up with their specialist Stihl chainsaws, but they also had a Silky Hayauchi pole saw. Talking to the guys about the pole saw, they said it was a great bit of kit.
I got a Hayauchi pole saw, along with the "Sintung" ratcheting lopper, and both have been flawless, and still work perfectly 18 years later. The lopper will deal with branches a couple of inches in diameter, and anything larger, the pole saw goes through like a hot knife through butter. I've used the saw to cut through branches 10-12 inches in diameter without a problem.
One of the great design features of their saws is they they cut on the "pull" strokes rather than the "push" of conventional saws. This means that when working on something above you, gravity is helping you pull down on the saw when it's doing the cutting.
The Hayauchi pole is 4 section, and will extend to over 6 metres, but is available in 3 and 2 section lengths for shorter reach. It's best to go for the shortest that will meet your requirements, as the more sections, the heavier it is.
Safety note - when using the lopper or the pole saw, make sure you use it an an angle so you're not stood directly under the branch you're cutting off!
I've since got a small folding saw - Silky Super Accel, which is also a quality piece of kit, and is a pleasure to use.
I'd definitely buy Silky stuff again, but probably won't need to as I'm sure the ones I've got will outlast me.
Edited by C n C on Monday 1st July 15:25
Pole silky are brilliant and sounds like way to go for you.
Other method to consider is rope chain saw (basically a double sided chainsaw chain attached to a couple of ropes). You throw it over branch you want to cut, then with a friend helping pull it back and fwds. I've used them to take down a few really high and heavy branches. Make sure to stand outside drop zone.
Other method to consider is rope chain saw (basically a double sided chainsaw chain attached to a couple of ropes). You throw it over branch you want to cut, then with a friend helping pull it back and fwds. I've used them to take down a few really high and heavy branches. Make sure to stand outside drop zone.
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