Best Tree Pruners and Top-Rated Manual Pole Saws

Bush and tree pruning can be one of the most challenging jobs in your garden or backyard, especially when you have to reach overhead branches and limbs. To help make pruning easier, experts in gardening developed tree pole pruners. They’re useful for making overhead cuts, and it’s safer to use them than to climb a ladder.

There are so many manual pole pruners in the market, but not all of them will be useful for your application. So, my choices for the best tree pruner took into consideration all the important features you would want a manual pole pruner to have.

The Best Tree Pruners Are:

Product	Details
1. Spear & Jackson 4930FZ/09 Tree Pruner	Top Pick	SK5 carbon steel blade 13-inch cutting capacity Telescopic handle extends to 92 inches Can be used as a lopper Assembly instructions available	Check Current Price
2. Fiskars Extendable Stik Pruner		Rope free design Quick-release thumb lock Fully hardened steel blade Power stroke chain drive Includes a lifetime warranty	Check Current Price
3. Fiskars EZ Reach Stik Tree Pruner		Rope free design Precision-ground steel blade Comes with a 1-1/4-inch cutting capacity 270 degrees rotating cutting head Easy-grip handle	Check Current Price
4. Milliard Extendable Tree Pruner		Pruning capacity of up to 1.25 inches Fiberglass extension pole Features a 14-inch long saw blade 50C carbon pruning blade	Check Current Price
5. Corona TP Swivel Cut Long Reach Pruner		Cutting head swivels, tilts, and rotates 62 inches long telescoping pole Features dual arc blade Power glide cutting action	Check Current Price
6. KSEIBI Long Reach Cut and Hold Bypass Pruner		It is a bypass pruner Lightweight aluminum pole Non-stick coated bypass blade Revolving arm design	Check Current Price
7. Corona LR Cut n Hold Pruner		Has an overall length of 46 inches Cutting capacity of up to 1/2-inch Non-stick coated blade Adjustable foam grip Ergonomic handle	Check Current Price
8. ARS LA long Reach Pruner		Single lever operation Telescopic handle Ergonomic grip Drop forged blade Adjustable Head	Check Current Price
9. Worth Garden Long Reach Tree Pruner		SK5 steel blade 180-degree rotating hand grip Cuts up to 1/2-inch diameter Four feet in length	Check Current Price

1. Spear & Jackson 4930FZ/09 Tree Pruner — Best Pole Pruner

Pruning large trees can sometimes be difficult without the help of a ladder. But the Spear & Jackson Tree Pruner was developed to make it easier for you to cut hard to reach branches.

This is a telescopic tree pruner, which is a good feature because it extends to a height of up to 92 inches for pruning hard to reach branches.

What makes it the best tree pruner is the cutting capacity, considering that it can cut branches of up to 13 inches in diameter by simply pulling the cutting cord.

Adjusting the cord length is a breeze, just pull the lock to open the pruner and then you can smoothly adjust the cord and the grip’s position.

Another great feature is the SK5 carbon steel blade, which has excellent edge retention and can easily be sharpened whenever necessary.

But the thing is, I had a broken nut when tightening the pruner and a few screws loosen up. I had to deal with these two problems.

Conclusion

The blade that comes with the pruner is very sharp, which means you will be able to cut through many damaged branches with ease, from the ground.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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2. Fiskars Extendable Stik Pruner

Are you looking for the best manual pole saw that has a rope-free design? Look no further than the Fiskars Extendable Stik Pruner.

The first impressive feature is the rope free design, which is good because you will have two-handed control for eliminating tangles and snags.

The telescopic pole provides you with up to 12 feet of overhead reach, allowing you easy access to branches and limbs that are considerably high.

The cutting mechanism of the saw features a power stroke chain drive system, which generates superior cutting power for tackling tough branches.

I appreciate the fully hardened steel blade, considering that it has a non-stick coating and a suitable cutting capacity of one-inch.

What I didn’t like is the sturdiness and reliability of this product. The blade snapped off the base. I requested a new one, I guess the initial one was a used product.

Conclusion

This is a great tool that offers an exceptional mechanical advantage for easy pruning of branches and limbs. Just make sure you confirm that the model you receive isn’t a used product.

Overall Rating – 4.4

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3. Fiskars EZ Reach Stik Tree Pruner — Best Grip Handle

The Fiskars EZ Reach Stik Tree Pruner is a timesaver. You will not need a ladder or climb half the tree to prune those damaged limbs and branches.

This product comes with a rope-free design and the pole is made of aluminum, which means it is lightweight and easy to maneuver with both hands.

I appreciate the versatility of this tool, considering that you can easily cut branches and limbs by simply pulling the handle or the knob backward.

The cutting head rotates 270 degrees, which is an amazing feature because it allows you to cut hard to reach branches from the most comfortable position.

Another great feature is the wide cutting capacity, considering how easy it is to cut branches of up to 31 mm in diameter.

But the thing is, the ratcheting system that makes the head rotate is made of plastic, which means it isn’t super heavy-duty since the parts will wear at some point.

Conclusion

The unique rope-free design makes it one of the most convenient multipurpose cutting tools, which you can use to prune branches, multi-flora roses, brambles, and vines.

Overall Rating – 4.4

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4. Milliard Extendable Tree Pruner — Best Tree Trimmer

You can risk your safety climbing on a ladder or you can simply invest in the Milliard Extendable Tree Pruner that comes with a unique saw blade.

The pruner has very sharp blades that are good at edge retention and are easy to sharpen, which makes cutting tough branches extremely easy.

The lopper features a cutting aperture of 1.25 inches, which is a good feature because it will cut through some of the thickest branches in your yard.

The 14-inch premium carbon steel saw blade minimizes cutting effort. The saw blade features 4H tooth design that improves tooth geometry for unmatched cutting performance.

The pole sprouts out from 6 to 16 feet, providing you with one of the industry’s longest overhead reach for quick and easy cutting of overhanging branches.

I wish it came with a metallic heavy-duty collar because the cheap plastic one looks flimsy. This makes me a little bit worried when using the pruner.

Conclusion

The overall build quality is okay, and you will get the best overhead cuts as long as you don’t use excessive force.

Overall Rating – 4.3

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5. Corona TP Swivel Cut Long Reach Pruner — Best Rotating Action

When it is time to prune those live branches and limbs, you should look no further than the Corona TP Swivel Cut Long Reach Pruner.

The pruner has a uniquely designed rotating head, which is great because you can rotate the head 360 degrees for getting into tight spots.

This is a bypass pruner that cuts like scissors, and this is what you want for your live plants and trees in your yard.

There are two ways you can close the lopper to cut your branches: by pulling the adjustable handle for short trees or the oval end grip for taller trees.

You can effortlessly extend the pole up to 62 inches for those clean overhead cuts, but I wish the overhead reach could be higher.

But the thing is, the bypass pruner isn’t the most reliable choice for cutting dead, dry branches.

Conclusion

Corona TP Swivel Cut Long Reach Pruner is the ideal choice when cutting live branches and limbs. But the overhead reach isn’t as generous as you would have expected.

Overall Rating – 4.3

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6. KSEIBI Long Reach Cut and Hold Bypass Pruner

Do you want to get rid of those overhanging live branches in your garden? I recommend the KSEIBI Long Reach Cut and Hold Bypass Pruner.

This pruner has a long reach of about 7 feet, which is great because you don’t have to stretch your legs to reach high branches or bend over to reach into a bush.

I really appreciate the bypass pruner, considering how easy the blades pass by each other to produce a very clean cut.

The blades are coated by a black non-stick finish, which is a good feature because it prevents rust and corrosion when working on humid branches.

Another unique amazing feature is the revolving arm that allows you to turn the pruner blades to your preferred direction without moving the grip.

What I didn’t like; however, is the 1/2-inch cutting capacity. It was too narrow and I could not prune large branches with it.

Conclusion

It has a basic and lightweight design, but it is a very effective choice for gardening and clearing small branches in your yard.

Overall Rating – 4.3

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7. Corona LR Cut n Hold Pruner

If you are looking for an ergonomically made pruning tool that features a superior cut-and-hold function, then look no further than the Corona LR Long Reach Cut n Hold Pruner. It’s one of the best saws for cutting tree branches.

This pruner has two sharp edges on both blades, similar to scissors, which makes them ideal for cutting small overhanging branches and removal of faded blossoms.

It has a high carbon steel hook and blade, which are fully heat-treated for sturdiness and extended life of the tool.

It is not the most ideal choice for pruning very high branches, but it is an excellent option for trimming small trees in your garden.

The pruner has an adjustable foam grip that allows for ease of use and superior balance. You also get ergonomic co-molded handles for improved comfort.

But I have two complaints about this model: it offers a very short overhead reach and the 1/2-inch cutting capacity is too narrow.

Conclusion

It is a very simple manual pole pruner for easy gardening and trimming branches of short trees.

Overall Rating – 4.1

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8. ARS LA long Reach Pruner — Best Drop Forged Blade

If you are looking for a solid manual pole pruner that doesn’t flex easily, look no further than the ARS LA long Reach Pruner.

The pruner has drop-forged blades, which is a good feature because the slim blade design offers you great durability and superior cutting leverage.

The blades are also hard chrome-plated, making them suitable for cutting live branches because they are sap as well as rust-resistant.

The telescoping pole extends easily from 4 to 7 feet in three different stops, which allows you to customize your overhead reach for superior cutting.

It is fitted with an aluminum die-cast grip with a non-slip plastic coating that is ergonomically made for ease of handling and superior comfort.

But, it may not be the most comfortable choice for people with smaller hands. The handle diameter may be too wide for them.

Conclusion

This is a good tool for the money with very simple lever action for quick and precise cuts.

Overall Rating – 4.1

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9. Worth Garden Long Reach Tree Pruner — Best Value for Money

Do you want to harvest some fruits from your garden or trim overhanging branches and limbs? Look no further than the Worth Garden Long Reach Tree Pruner.

The cutting head is made of anti-skidding anvil base and quality SK5 steel blade, which provides precise and clean cuts.

With a cutting capacity of 3/5 inches, this tool is suitable for pruning small branches, trimming flowers, stems, twigs, bushes, and picking up ripe fruits.

I really appreciate the 180 degrees rotating flexible grip, considering how easy it is to obtain the ideal trimming and pruning angle.

Another good feature is the cut and hold system, which allows you to hold a branch, limb, stem, flower, or fruit until you release.

My only problem with this model is that the manufacturer doesn’t honor the warranty when you buy from a third-party other than them.

Conclusion

This is a quality tool for pruning small branches and doing most of your gardening chores. But the cutting capacity is too narrow.

Overall Rating – 4.0

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Buying Guide

If you have tried to prune branches, pick fruit, or trim tree crowns with a hand saw, you will know how tough it can be. The best solution is a tree pole pruner, which will allow for easy overhead pruning. With that said, here are a few things that I considered when searching for the best tree pruner.

Anvil Or Bypass Blades

There are two types of pole pruners: bypass (two blades pass each other, like scissors), and anvil (one blade cuts down against a flat surface). Bypass pruners are generally easier to use compared to anvil ones, and better for cutting because they cut more cleanly than anvil types.

If you are working on live branches that have a small diameter, bypass pruners are the best because they produce clean and precise cuts at an angle. This allows fluid to come out of the remaining part of the branch in order to prevent rotting, making them ideal for tidying up your garden.

With thick hardwood branches that are at least 30+ millimeters in size, the anvil cutter is the better option, which will not require too much force to cut. Anvil pruners; however, are not highly recommended for live branches because they do not produce very clean cuts. Instead, they cut/crush straight through a branch.

Roped Vs Rope Free Tree Pruners

The next important decision you have to make is choosing between a roped and a rope-free tree pruner. Roped tree pruners require you to pull a rope in order to close the blades and make a cut. This manual mechanism is simple to master and it’s mostly found on Spear & Jackson Pole Pruners.

Instead, there’s a handgrip at the middle that allows you to pull the rope downwards and make a cut. Also, there’s another hand grip at the bottom of the pole that works the same way. Both your hands are free when using this type of tree pruner. So, you can use both of your hands to improve maneuverability, balance, and cutting power.

Pole Length And Material

Once you have the ideal cutting blades and pulling action mechanism, the next crucial factor is pole length. Most pole tree pruners will range in length from 4 to 16 feet. There are some designs that have fixed pole length; while others (most popular ones) have telescopic length.

I prefer a telescopic pole because it allows you to adjust the length accordingly, depending on your height and your strength for holding the pole over your head. There are two most popular pole materials you can consider: fiberglass and aluminum.

Final Thoughts

Our overall best choice is Spear & Jackson 4930FZ/09 Tree Pruner. This is by far the most versatile and resourceful tree pruner I have come across. It has the traditional roped pull action handle, which is remarkably easy to use. It doesn’t come with the longest overhead reach, but its cutting capacity and power are exceptional.

This model also doubles as a manual pole saw, thanks to the integrated 13-inch saw blade that is very effective for trimming branches that are larger than 30 mm in diameter. As you can see, there’s so much that goes into choosing a tree pole pruner. So, your best selection should take into account all the aforementioned factors.