Houseworks: Cordless pruning tools effective, economical option for DIY yard work 

Steve uses a cordless pole saw to trim branches that would otherwise need a ladder. Extensions can be added to reach up even further.  Photo by Robert Maxwell 

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Every yard with trees and shrubs eventually reaches the same awkward stage. Branches get too high for hand pruners, too thick for loppers and too small to justify dragging out a chainsaw. This middle ground is where a new generation of cordless pruning tools has become useful for Canadian homeowners. I’ve been using the ones I’ll tell you about here at my place and they let you do a lot of the work professionals normally charge big money for.  

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Pole saws 

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These are the best example, especially since they’ve become more common and more affordable. A pole saw is essentially a small chainsaw bar mounted on the end of an extendable shaft, and this lets you cut branches safely from the ground that would otherwise require a ladder. Gas-powered pole saws have been around for years, and I own one. It works well when the job is large, but it also reminds me why many people postpone pruning. You have to dig out the mixed fuel, add bar-and-chain oil, start the engine, put up with the noise and then wrestle with the weight. 

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Cordless pole saws still need chain oil and chain sharpening, but they do sidestep a lot of the fuss. Snap in a charged battery, top up the chain oil reservoir, then get cutting. Since most pruning cuts aren’t large, cordless power is definitely up to the job. This is why these tools have become more common. They fit the way pruning really happens around a home: ten minutes here, three branches there, a quick cleanup before mowing.  

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The danger when trimming long branches is the way bark can be stripped off the tree trunk as the partially cut branch tilts down and begins to fall under weight. I solve this problem by making my first cut about a foot back from the trunk, then a second cut to remove the stub close to the trunk. Since there’s no weight on the stub, there’s no danger of tearing bark off the trunk.  

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I’ve never found cordless tools match gas-powered for tough jobs, but for trimming and pruning they’re my favourite. That said, cordless equipment carries a substantial price premium, and the real cost is often hidden in the batteries. A bare tool may look reasonable, but a couple of high-capacity batteries and charger can change the calculation quickly. Prepare yourself. 

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That said, pruning is one place where cordless makes the most sense. You’re not bucking firewood. You’re removing limbs, shaping shrubs, opening trails and cutting back growth that has crept into driveways, walkways and buildings. For this work, convenience matters more than horsepower. 

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Typically called a “pruning saw”, short-bar cordless chainsaws like this offer a fast way to prune branches up to medium size from the ground. Photo by Robert Maxwell 

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Pruning saws 

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Cordless handheld pruning saws are another tool I use all the time. These are small chainsaws with six or eight-inch bars, sometimes sold as pruning saws and meant to be used with one hand. They’re not toys, and they deserve the same respect as any chainsaw, but they’re handy for cutting thicker branches you can reach from the ground. They are also good for storm cleanup, brush piles and trimming saplings too large for loppers.