Pruning Power Tool?

[Jeronimojc]

Hi folks! Any advice on a good power tool for pruning small branches? I have a stand of 10' to 16' tall Douglas Fir that I want to prune.  I started with some pruning shears, but I quickly concluded there has to be a good power tool for this. The trees have lots of small branches and unless I use a power tool this is going to take a long time.

I bought a small battery sawzall and some Diablo pruning blades (5 teeth per inch) that I'll test tomorrow at the stand, but my first test at home wasn't too promising. I think I need a more aggressive blade on green wood.

Another idea was using a wood blade on a 4-1/2" grinder. I've seen some Lancelot blades with chainsaw cutting teeth that appear to be made to be used with a grinder. I'll have to check the RPM compatibility. Anyhow, I figured someone here has used a power tool for this kind of job. I would appreciate some suggestions.

[Ljohnsaw]

Trimming for Christmas trees?  I'd think you need a gas powered hedge trimmer.

[Jeronimojc]

Trimming for Christmas trees?  I'd think you need a gas powered hedge trimmer.

No. These are timber trees spaced far enough that they don't de-limb each other at this young age.  I have a cost share program that will pay for some of this and other work.

[Ljohnsaw]

I have an electric one but you could get a gas version of a pole (chain)saw.  Mine works great.  I suppose if you put a generator on an ATV you could use an electric one ;)  Mine has as extendable pole that gets about 10 or 12' plus what I can reach so I can clear branches up to 15 or 20'.

[Jeronimojc]

I am looking for a handheld tool.  My branches too low and are too many for a pole saw. Any other ideas?  Thanks!

[enigmaT120]

I use a Logrite pruning saw with the long handle, so I can stand outside the branches and cut them.  My trees were taller than yours before I started limbing them though.

I think my saw cuts smaller limbs as fast as a chainsaw type pruner would, it's lighter, and quieter.  Just one pull and most branches are off. 

[Jeronimojc]

You make a great point. Maybe there isn't a forestry power tool for this particular application bc using a good pruning saw would be just as easy.

[Ljohnsaw]

I am looking for a handheld tool.  My branches too low and are too many for a pole saw. Any other ideas?  Thanks!

The nice thing about a pole saw is you can stand back to cut the low-low branches and save your back.  Collapsed, my pole saw is about 7 foot.  Just pull the trigger and it slices through real quick with the electric chainsaw.  You can stick it into the tree to get to the first branch and then work your way around.  A gas one (Sthil?) would be great for your application.

[sprucebunny]

I've used cordless saws for low pruning; circular and sawzall style.

[Clark]

I've used Silky hand saws in the past and they are very fast. I don't know of a power tool that would allow you to prune effectively (especially on smaller trees) without causing some damage. A sharp pruning saw is very fast, effective and controllable.

Clark

[Jeronimojc]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I tested a small cordless sawzall with the pruning blade and I was positively surprised. I know now a bigger sawzall would be better (faster).

I also get the sense that it would be more efficient to let these trees grow more before pruning.

BTW, I ended up ordering a Logrite 72" long pruning saw. I am excited to give this a try on the bigger trees.

[Stuart Caruk]

I found a hydraulic prunig shear on a pole that I use in my bucket truck that makes the job a cinch. The hydraulics were already at the bucket. I just need a driver...

[Ianab]

The pruning you describe is routinely done here in NZ with heavy duty loppers. These will go through a ~2" pine limb if you lean on them a little. 

The standard kits would have a belt with pockets for the loppers and ~18" pruning saw for anything heavier. Once you get over about 6 ft, you carry a light aluminium ladder to prop against the tree. It has spiked feet, and a webbing bracket at the top to rest against the tree without damaging the bark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNwrPy5CRY

If you are going to prune them, do it early and in several stages, so the tree can lay down clear wood for most of the butt log. Leaving  pruning too late gives you no real benefit as the wood is still knotty. In that case you are better to just not prune, and gain a bit more wood volume

[Jeronimojc]

A great video.  Thanks for the input.  I started with loppers and it is evident I don't have the skills to prune like the guy in the video.  A good Sawzall may be as fast and I believe requires less skill, at least on the smaller branches.