Pruning and maintaining your trees is an important part of their health and productivity. Having a tree pruner on hand is a smart way to keep your trees looking great. Because ladders can be dangerous (not to mention expensive!), having an extendable tree pruner will allow you to trim tree branches of all heights from the safety of the ground.
But which pruners are the best? I’ve listed the top nine extendable tree pruners currently on the market. Keep reading to find out more!
Our Top Picks
Best Extendable Bypass Pruner:
Fiskars 7.9-12 Foot Extendable Tree Pruning Stik Pruner
Best Extendable Loppers:
THANOS A1101 Extendable Anvil Loppers
Best Multi-Purpose:
Fiskars Chain Drive 7-16 Foot Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner
Best Pole Saws:
30-ft Reach: DocaPole 6-24 Foot Telescoping Pole Saw
14-ft. Reach: Hooyman Extendable Tree Saw
10-ft. Reach: HOSKO 10 Foot Pole Saw
Best Extendaable Bypass Pruner
Fiskars 7.9-12 Foot Extendable Tree Pruning Stik Pruner
Here is my favorite! Fiskars is a reputable garden tool brand, and the Fiskars Extendable Stik Pruner is no exception. It features a pruning shear head that can adjust angles to help you make the best cut. It doesn’t have a rope, so you can use both hands to control the shaft. It can extend up to 12 feet, and it comes with an attachable saw blade for thicker branches.
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Best Extendable Loppers
THANOS A1101 Extendable Anvil Loppers
Even shrubs can have hard-to-reach limbs, and that’s where these THANOS anvil loppers come in handy. The aluminum handles extend up to 40 inches and will let you easily cut limbs up to two inches thick. The blades are made from coated steel, and several reviewers brag about how effortlessly they cut limbs of hedges and shrubs.
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Best Multi-Purpose
Fiskars Chain Drive 7-16 Foot Extendable Pole Saw and Tree Pruner
This Fiskars tree pruner is similar in design to the Spear & Jackson model I mentioned above. It has a saw blade and rope to control the cuts, but this pruner can extend to 16 feet. When cutting a limb that high, a heavyweight pruner can wear you out before you get started. Fiskars designed this extendable tree pruner to be as lightweight as possible, helping you make great cuts high up.
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Best Long-Reach Saw (up to 30′)
DocaPole 6-24 Foot Telescoping Pole Saw
This DocaPole model can reach insanely high. Seriously, it can extend up to 24 feet. If you have tall trees that you need to trim without a ladder or lift, this pole saw is a great option. The pole extends using thumb levers to unlock and lock in place. The blade is 13 inches long with a chrome-plated finish and can even be detached and used as a hand saw.
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Short-Reach Saw (up to 14 ft.)
Hooyman Extendable Tree Saw
This Hooyman tree saw is perfect for keeping around the house. It can extend up to 10 feet, but it’s only 28 inches long when completely collapsed. The blade also folds in, so you don’t have to worry about anyone getting hurt when you’re not using the saw. Not only does it have an efficient design, but it also has a durable carbon steel blade for great cuts.
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Budget Pole Saw
HOSKO 10 Foot Pole Saw
My last choice is the HOSKO 10 Foot Pole Saw, and it’s a great budget-friendly option. Instead of extending, the saw features several sections that can be attached and/or detached to change the height of the pole saw. This model has a risk-free guarantee, so you can contact the manufacturer even if you aren’t happy with the product.
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TABOR TOOLS GG21A Extendable Bypass Lopper with Compound Action
This TABOR TOOLS bypass lopper has a lot of great things going on in terms of durability. It has a compound action system, which means it has several pivot points that help make thick cuts with ease. The blade is made from carbon steel with a non-stick coating, and the extendable arms feature grips with cushion and anti-shock properties.
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Best Extendable Tree Pruner for Comfort
Corona Tools Dual Link Extendable Bypass Loppers
The Corona Tools Dual Link Bypass Loppers are easy to use no matter your age or strength level. The arms are made from steel giving it the power it needs to make strong cuts. It also has a shock guard bumper and comfort gel grips, so you can trim several limbs without your shoulder and hands getting sore.
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What Is an Extendable Tree Pruner?
Extendable tree pruners are used to trim tree branches that cannot be reached by hand or are otherwise difficult to reach. These pruners can extend to a range of heights by telescoping out by the handles. Some pruners also have links that you can attach to the pruner to make it longer.
There are several types of tree pruners that I will discuss in this post that either have a saw blade or shears at the end of the pruner to make the best, clean cut to your tree limb.
Different Types of Extendable Tree Pruners
Pole Shears
You know the small pruning shears you have in the drawer? Imagine that on a long pole, and you have pole shears. There is a rope or pulley handle attached to a chain that controls the shears and makes the cut. These are great for small limbs that you need to remove from high up in the tree.
Tree Loppers
Tree Loppers have two long handles that are used as a lever to cut woody branches and limbs. The head is similar to pole shears and either uses a bypass or anvil function. Bypass pruners work like scissors, while anvil loppers have one blade that cuts against another stationary blade.
Pole Saws
Pole saws are essentially hand saws attached to a pole, and they can either be manual (what I focused on in this article) or battery-powered. They are used for trimming thicker limbs that can’t be cut with shears or loppers. The saw is controlled using a rope or lever, which pulls the blade back and forth across the limb to make the cut.
How to Choose the Best Extendable Tree Pruner
Size
Consider the height of the tree or hedge you are working with. If they are small trees, you likely don’t need the longest extendable pruners on the market, and you can narrow your focus on other features. If you do have large trees, you want to find the most durable model for the height.
Ergonomic Design / Ease of Use
For many people, comfort is one of the most important features garden tools can have. Often times if you have several limbs to cut, you want a pruner that is not going to give you blisters or a sore shoulder before the end of the day. That has a lot to do with how the pruner is designed, so look for pruners that optimize comfort in the design.
Safety Features
Safety is the most important part of trimming your limbs. Make sure to purchase a reputable pruner that you can trust to trim limbs without worrying about your safety. Some models even feature a folding blade for safely storing the pruner.
Materials
Most all pruners and saw blades are made differently. Whether it be steel, aluminum, or plastic, what your pruner is made out of will impact how durable it is and how long it will last.
Handles
As discussed in the different types of extendable pruners above, there are several different types of handles. It may be easier for you to use a pole saw with a rope, or it may be better to use the anvil loppers with two handles. You get to choose what works best for your situation.
Price
If you have a small budget, look for pruners made from aluminum or plastic. They are the most cost-friendly options, and I picked several that are still very durable. If budget is not an issue, pruners made from steel work great for any job.
Maintenance
It’s important to clean your pruner after every use to keep it working properly. Remove any dried dirt or caked mud from the blades using a spray hose. Just remember to dry your blades completely before storing them to avoid any rust.
Also, keep your blades sharp to protect your tree. Making poor cuts with a dull blade can open your tree up to the possibility of disease. Both saw blades and shear blades can be sharpened with a file.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for a hand pruner?
Most hand pruners run between $40 and $200, depending on the brand and materials used to make them.
Why would I even need an extendable hand pruner?
Extendable hand pruners are great to have because of their versatility. Most models can be used to trim short and tall limbs because of the telescoping feature, so you can use it for all of your trees.
They’re also great to have on hand if a storm comes through and damages your tree limbs, or if a tree limb simply dies out. You can get it done quickly and on your own.
Wrapping Up Best Extendable Tree Pruners
Extendable tree pruners are a multi-faceted, handy tool that will help keep your trees maintained, no matter the size. Overall, my top pick is the Fiskars 7.9-12 Foot Extendable Tree Pruning Stik Pruner, which is the most versatile and durable model for the price.
Shopping for your garden can get overwhelming, fast. So if you’re looking for advice on garden tools and garden supplies, then you’re in the right place!
MarylandUSA
Friday 7th of July 2023
When you update this list, consider including two loppers that extend from 6 feet to 8 feet: the Barnel B88T Ultra Reach and the Zenport ZL-630 Long Reach Telescopic Pruner. While not as versatile as the 7.9-to-12-foot Fiskars, they're rated to cut thicker branches: 1.6 inches vs. 1.25. In Europe, you can buy the Archman Sniper By-Pass Evolution telescopic Lopper, an Italian-made lopper that works like the Fiskars (by pulling on a sliding handle), works over a wider range (7.7 to 13 feet), and cuts branches as thick as 1.6 inches.