6 Pole Saw Vs Chainsaw For High Branches That Prevent Common Issues

That one high branch, hanging over the chicken run or threatening a fence line, is a problem you can’t ignore forever. The real question is how to deal with it safely and efficiently. This isn’t just about cutting wood; it’s about choosing the right tool to avoid injury, prevent property damage, and get the job done without a full day of struggle.

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EGO POWER+ Pole Saw: Safely Reaching High Limbs

A pole saw‘s greatest strength is that it keeps your feet firmly on the ground. The EGO POWER+ is a prime example of this principle in action, offering impressive reach, often up to 15 feet, depending on your own height. This completely changes the risk equation compared to climbing a ladder with a saw.

The real-world benefit comes from its battery ecosystem. If you already own other EGO tools, like their mower or string trimmer, you have a supply of 56V batteries ready to go. This convenience is a huge deal on a hobby farm where time is always short. You can prune a few limbs, then pop that same battery into a blower to clean up the mess without missing a beat.

While powerful for a battery tool, it knows its limits. It excels at branches in the 4- to 6-inch range, perfect for routine pruning of fruit trees or clearing sightlines along a driveway. Pushing it on an 8-inch hardwood limb will only lead to frustration and a drained battery. It’s a tool for maintenance, not major surgery.

Greenworks Pro 80V: Lighter for Less Fatigue

Working overhead is exhausting, and fatigue is the enemy of safety. The Greenworks Pro 80V pole saw often has a noticeable weight advantage over some competitors, and that matters more than you’d think. Holding a tool at full extension for even a few minutes is a workout; a lighter tool means you can make more controlled, precise cuts for longer.

This focus on ergonomics is crucial for the solo operator. When you don’t have a spotter, every bit of control you can maintain is a safety feature. A lighter saw is less likely to dip unexpectedly or pull you off balance as the cut finishes. This makes it a fantastic choice for clearing tangled growth or selectively thinning a canopy where you need to be nimble.

The 80V platform delivers plenty of power for most pruning tasks you’d tackle with a pole saw. It finds the sweet spot between being light enough for easy handling and powerful enough to slice through pine, maple, or apple wood without bogging down. It’s a workhorse for the kind of proactive tree care that prevents bigger problems down the road.

Stihl HT 103: Gas Power for Dense Hardwoods

Sometimes, battery power just won’t do. When you’re facing mature oak, hickory, or locust branches, you need the unrelenting torque that only a gas engine can provide. The Stihl HT 103 is built for exactly this scenario, delivering consistent power that doesn’t fade as the cut gets tougher.

This isn’t the tool you grab for a quick five-minute trim. It comes with the classic tradeoffs of gas power: you have to deal with fuel mixing, maintenance, noise, and fumes. But when you have a dozen tough, 6-inch limbs to get through, the productivity of a gas pole saw is undeniable. It simply cuts faster and more aggressively through dense wood.

The HT 103’s telescoping shaft provides professional-grade reach and rigidity. This stiffness is critical when you’re applying pressure high up, preventing the pole from flexing and causing the cut to bind. It’s an investment, but it’s the right tool for properties with a significant amount of mature hardwood that needs regular management.

Stihl MS 170 Chainsaw: When a Pole Saw Won’t Cut It

There comes a point where a branch is simply too large or awkwardly positioned for a pole saw. When you’re looking at wood thicker than 8 inches in diameter, it’s time to put the pole saw away and pick up a chainsaw. Using a pole saw on a limb that heavy is asking for the tool to get pinched or kick back.

The Stihl MS 170 is a legendary entry-point chainsaw for a reason. It’s lightweight, incredibly reliable, and has enough power for most tasks around a small farm without being intimidating. Its job begins where the pole saw’s job ends. But this transition comes with a critical warning: if the branch is still high, you are now likely working from a ladder or lift.

Operating a chainsaw off the ground is an entirely different and more dangerous task. You need a solid, level base for your ladder and a clear understanding of how the branch will fall. The MS 170 is light enough to be managed in these situations, but the risk is significant. Often, the safest plan is to use the pole saw to clear smaller branches around the big one, then bring in the chainsaw for the main event.

DeWalt 20V MAX XR: Cordless Power Without Gas

For those who want chainsaw capability without the hassle of a gas engine, the DeWalt 20V MAX XR chainsaw is a game-changer. It’s the perfect companion tool for a battery-powered pole saw. You get the branch down from a distance, then you can switch to a familiar battery platform for limbing and bucking it on the ground.

The convenience factor is enormous. There’s no pull-cord, no choke, and no running to the shed for mixed gas. For clearing a fallen branch off a trail or quickly cutting up a small tree that came down in a storm, the grab-and-go nature is unbeatable. It provides quiet, instant power for jobs that need doing now.

You have to respect its limitations. This is not a tool for felling large trees or bucking a full cord of firewood. It excels at cleanup and processing limbs up to about 10-12 inches. It’s the perfect "second saw" for a hobby farm, handling the vast majority of cleanup tasks with ease.

Husqvarna 450 Rancher for Thick, Problem Branches

Every property has them: the big, ugly branches that pose a real threat. These are the 14-inch diameter limbs hanging over a shed or the heavy, split section of an old maple. This is beyond the scope of a homeowner saw like the MS 170 and deep into the territory of a true farm and ranch saw like the Husqvarna 450 Rancher.

This saw brings significantly more power and a longer bar. That extra power isn’t for showing off; it’s for safety and efficiency on thick wood. An underpowered saw on a big limb is more likely to get bogged down and kick back. The 450 Rancher has the torque to pull the chain through dense wood, making for a cleaner, faster, and safer cut.

This is a specialized tool, not an everyday carry. It’s heavier and requires more respect than a smaller saw. But when you have serious wood to process or a truly problematic tree to deal with, having a saw with this level of capability is the difference between a successful project and a dangerous ordeal.

Precision Pruning with the Greenworks Pro 80V Pole Saw

Good pruning isn’t just about removal; it’s about the health of the tree. A pole saw gives you the control to make precise cuts that promote proper healing. The goal is always to cut just outside the branch collar—the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk—without leaving a stub. Doing this from the ground with a lightweight pole saw like the Greenworks 80V is far easier than trying to do it from a wobbly ladder.

The classic three-cut method is essential for preventing the bark from tearing down the trunk, and it’s perfectly suited for a pole saw.

• First cut: An undercut a foot or so out from the trunk, about a third of the way through the branch.
• Second cut: A top cut just outside the first one to remove the bulk of the weight.
• Final cut: The precision cut just outside the branch collar to remove the remaining stub.

This controlled approach is the hallmark of responsible tree management. A pole saw’s reach and relative lack of power (compared to a chainsaw) actually become assets here, forcing you to be methodical and preventing you from rushing through a delicate cut.

Stihl MS 170: Limbing Branches Once They Are Down

The work isn’t over when the branch hits the ground. In fact, the most time-consuming part—processing it—has just begun. This is where a small, nimble chainsaw like the Stihl MS 170 truly shines. It’s light enough to maneuver easily as you walk along the downed limb, cutting off smaller side branches (limbing).

Once the limb is clean, you need to cut it into manageable lengths for firewood, chipping, or hauling away. This process, called bucking, is where the MS 170’s reliability pays off. It has enough power to get through 10-inch logs all day long without the weight and vibration of a larger saw wearing you out.

This two-tool system—pole saw for the high cut, chainsaw for the ground work—is the safest and most efficient workflow. Each tool is used for its intended purpose, minimizing risk and fatigue. Trying to buck a log on the ground with a pole saw is awkward and inefficient, just as trying to prune a high branch with a chainsaw on a stick is a recipe for disaster.

Ultimately, the choice isn’t about which tool is "better," but which is right for the immediate task. A pole saw is your go-to for safe, high-reach pruning, while a chainsaw is the indispensable partner for handling the wood once it’s on the ground. Owning both isn’t a redundancy; it’s a complete system for safely managing the trees on your property.