Needing a tree pruner to keep a couple of lemon trees in check.
There are many on the market with elaborate rope-based mechanisms that don’t look too robust, and with a huge variation in price.
I need to cut about 3cm-diameter branches about 3m above the ground (stepladder + regular loppers infeasible due to obstructions).
Seeking advice (preferably from first-hand experience) about ones that work and ones that don’t.
Sorry, I wouldn't recommend a palm saw to use for lopping normal tree branches, the palm saw sawtooth isn't right for that purpose.
When you "isn't right", do you mean that it is not sufficiently heavy duty for branches, but rather for lighter things like palm fronds?
but rather for lighter things like palm fronds?
Ever cut a palm frond? They are tough as nails!
See my my other comment, the only difference between the pruning version for branches and the palm version is the reach. As you need 3m, you need the longer version aka the palm version.
@JimmyF: Never cut a palm frond in my life.
I was just reading from the website description for the Fiskar's Telescopic Palm Saw (fiskars.com.au) where it says
"The unique blade design cuts through palm fronds and other light weight material with ease. "
I need to make cuts about 3m off the ground, maybe a bit more (3.5m), but if I can hold the handle at chest or shoulder height, then it only needs to be 1.5-2m long itself.
As for the rip-teeth vs cross-cut, I can't find anything written that mentions the sawtooth pattern for either, so I guess I'll head to Bunnings and see if there is any difference.
I have one of those Fiskars palm saw thingy, very good for palms (got about 300 of them on my property grrrr), but when I use it on dense wood like a branch it takes forever to cut through. When viewed from the top of the saw tooth, the Fiskars saw tooth is a "rip teeth" design rather than a "cross cut" one.
the palm saw sawtooth isn't right for that purpose.
Ok then get the 'pruning' saw version here
https://www.bunnings.com.au/saxon-telescopic-pruning-saw_p33…
but oh wait look, it has the same blade as the not fit for purpose palm saw version……
So what is the difference between the two then? Hmmm one extends to 2.1m the other extends to 4.5m. The OP needs to go to 3m, so best to get the 'palm saw' then hey? facepalm
Pole Pruner would be better. Think chainsaw on a pole with a 18cm cutting face.
Have you considered a pole saw?
I'm not recommending this particular one, but am surprised how cheap it is
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-750w-telescopic-electric-p…
.
A chainsaw on a pole as This Guy said…
That is sort-of appealing, but as I've got a bunch of Ryobi One+ batteries, I'd probably get the $199 Ryobi one.
But I don't need to do all that much, so it might be overkill.
I suspect you're under pruning the tree if you think you won't be doing much.
I use to cut a branch here and there til I watched this.
Pruning heavily yielded a much healthier foliage, more fruit and better quality.
It's really hard to kill a citrus from pruning. I deliberately pruned back a couple of grapefruit trees with the intent to kill. Got it down to a stick so I can rip it out of the ground with a tractor. Didn't end up removing it and just left it there for the next year. It's now stronger than ever.
Wow, had no idea you could lop off 80% of the tree…
I have a Ryobi 18v pole saw. Cuts a lot more and a lot better than I expected. Def worth it if you already have batteries. Works well with smaller batteries too, doesn’t need the extra front form a bigger battery.
I use mine in preference to a petrol chainsaw, much more convenient.
Sold!
Thanks for that…
I was going to suggest Dave down the road.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/fiskars-2-2-4-5m-quikfit-telesco…