How to Use a Pole Saw Safely: The Ultimate Guide to Tree Pruning
Regular tree pruning doesn't just improve your property's curb appeal; it keeps your trees healthy too, but doing it incorrectly can damage your trees, destroy your fences, or leave your equipment hopelessly jammed.
Whether you are using a petrol model or a modern battery pole pruner, using the correct cutting technique makes all the difference. Philip Needham, STIHL Product Manger explains how to prune safely, and the common mistakes you need to avoid.
ESSENTIAL PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Before you pull the starter cord or click in a battery, you must protect yourself. Always wear the following gear:
Safety Helmet (Hard Hat): Absolutely mandatory to protect your head from heavy, falling branches dropping from several metres above.
Face Shield or Safety Glasses: Fine sawdust, sharp wood chips, and small twigs will rain down during overhead cuts.
Heavy-Duty Work Gloves: Protects your hands from splinters, sharp bark, and accidental contact with a hot motor or the chain.
Sturdy, Non-Slip Boots: Steel-capped boots with aggressive tread ensure you maintain stable footing on uneven or slippery ground.
Hearing Protection: Always required for noisy petrol engines, though you can safely skip them with quiet battery models to better hear shifts in the wood.
WHAT NOT TO DO: COMMON PRUNING MISTAKES
Many people make the mistake of placing the pole saw directly on top of a branch and cutting straight through. This approach introduces several risks:
The Pivot and Swing: Without a relief cut, a heavy branch could pivot downward as you cut. Instead of falling flat, it swings down like a pendulum, which can smash into nearby structures, gardens, or fences.
Pinch and Jam: As the heavy branch sags under its own weight, it clamps down on the saw blade. This pinches and jams your chain, leaving your expensive equipment trapped high up in the tree.
Torn Tree Bark: If the branch breaks away poorly, it can peel a long strip of bark off the main trunk. This leaves a massive wound that invites pests and disease
PRO TIPS: HOW TO CUT TREE BRANCHES CORRECTLY
To get branches down in a smooth, flat, and controlled manner, always use the two-cut method and follow these professional pruning tips from STIHL Prouduct Manager, Philip Needham
1. MASTER THE TWO METHOD CUT
The Undercut:
Start by bringing the saw up underneath the branch. Cut only about one centimetre into the wood just enough to break the bark and the lower wood fibres.
Do not go too deep, or the weight of the branch will pinch the saw.
The Top Cut:
Move your saw directly above your undercut and cut down from the top. As the branch cuts through, it will close the gap and cleanly snap at the centre like a hinge. The entire branch will snap out and fall flat straight to the ground, rather than hanging up or swinging wildly
2. PREVENT TREE ROT AND DISEASE
When cutting a remaining stub back closer to the main trunk, focus on how the wound will heal. Cut the branch area flush or give it a slight taper. Tapering ensures that rainwater runs straight off the wood rather than pooling in the cut area, protecting the tree from moisture retention and rot.
WHY CHOOSE BATTERY?
STIHL battery pole saws are a total game-changer. You don't have to pull a cord to start the petrol motor or mix two-stroke fuel just for a quick five-minute job; you just pop the battery in and you're away. Because they are very quiet, you won't wake the neighbours, and you can ditch the earmuffs entirely. This means you can actually hear the branches creaking and shifting above you, which is pretty handy for making sure you don't get a face full of wood. They are also light, balanced, and have heaps of grunt.
-
STIHL HTA 30 Battery Pole Chainsaw Tool (With 2 Batteries & Charger)Special Price $825.00
-
STIHL HTA 66 Battery Pole Chainsaw Kit (With Battery & Charger)Special Price $1,139.00
-
STIHL HTA 86 Battery Pole Chainsaw Kit (With Battery & Charger)Special Price $1,615.00
SUMMARY: HOW TO USE A POLE SAW SAFELY
- Protect yourself from heavy falling debris and sharp wood chips by always wearing a hard hat, face shield, and sturdy boots.
- Cutting straight down through a branch can pinch and jam your chain or cause the wood to split and tear the tree's bark.
- Make a small undercut first, followed by a top cut, to ensure the branch snaps like a hinge and falls safely to the ground.
- Cut the remaining branch stub flush or with a slight taper so rainwater runs straight off instead of pooling and causing decay.
- Using a battery pole saw eliminates the hassle of mixing petrol and runs quietly enough that you can safely ditch the earmuffs to stay aware of your surroundings.
