Pole Pruners

Pole pruners and trimmers for overhead work

For very tall shrubs, experts say that using blades mounted on a long shaft is safer than standing on a ladder with shorter trimmers. Jane Autler, in her article on hedge trimmers for Grounds Maintenance Magazine, suggests considering long-reach trimmers with rotating heads for this kind of work. Several manufacturers make hedge-trimming attachments that fit on string trimmers, but reviews say they don't work nearly as well as dedicated pole hedge trimmers. (These are often called by other names, such as extended-reach hedge trimmers or pole pruners.)

Ryobi makes a gas model called the Ryobi 30cc Gas Pole Pruner RY52004 (*est. $180), but we could find no reviews of it. Ryobi also make a cordless model called the 18-Volt ONE+ Pole Pruner P2500 (*est. $50). Two reviewers at Home Depot give this model top marks, but another felt limited by the ability to only cut up to 3/4 inch diameter branches. Two of these reviewers like the fact that this trimmer uses Ryobi ONE+ batteries that they already have at home.

The less expensive dual-bladed Remington Electric Hedge Trimmer 110946-01 (*Est. $105) telescopes to ten feet as needed and weighs 7.25 pounds. A similar model at Amazon.com gets below-average reviews from more than 30 users who warn that the cam and other parts can break. The 6.1-pound Black & Decker 24\" Hedge Hog XR Extended Reach Hedge Trimmer HH2410 (*Est. $75) doesn't have nearly as much reach, but it does have a two-position handle that pivots to make trimming both tops and sides of hedges easier. With dual blades and a 2.6-amp motor, it's rated for cutting branches up to 3/4 inch in diameter. However, several users at Amazon.com, where its average rating from a handful of users is below average, say that it doesn't have anywhere near that much power. This model is no longer listed on the Black & Decker website, but is still available through several sellers on Amazon.com.