Can You Use a Pole Saw as a Hedge Trimmer

If you are a private homeowner looking to maintain the hedges, you might wonder if you can use your pole saw as a hedge trimmer.

While these tools aren’t interchangeable, the pole saw with a trimmer attachment can offer decent benefits for cutting hard-to-reach or tall hedges.

But yes, using the pole saw obviously requires safety precautions and specific techniques to ensure an even, clean cut without damaging yourself or the hedges.

Also, there are times when we are unsure whether we have the appropriate tools to complete the task. For instance, take a pole saw and a hedge trimmer.

Are pole saws OKAY to use on heavy trees?

Or, can a trimmer work as a tree-pruning tool?

“Should I use something else instead?”

All these thoughts might provoke your mind. 

Both tools may look similar, but they are made to perform different jobs. So, it’s necessary for you to understand the differences first.

This will help you decide which is right for you and whether or not you should use them.

To explore everything about it, let’s uncover the pros and cons of both tools, how to use pole saw as hedge trimmers, and more!

Can You Use A Pole Saw To Trim Hedges? – Deep discussion

Undoubtedly, a saw is a wonderful tool to have in the yard arsenal. And it can be utilized for more than only trimming hedges.

Using the right tool will make your life a lot easier and vice versa. A fun fact!

Have a look below to get familiar with the benefits & drawbacks of using both these machines:

Reasons You Should Use A Pole Saw For Trimming Hedges

If you use a pole saw for cutting hedges, it’ll offer you the following perks:

Saves Money

Trimmers are pretty expensive power pieces of equipment. A quality hedge trimmer can even cost you from $50-$300. 

So yes, you can save a considerable amount of money by using a pole saw to trim hedges.

Saves Time

Learning to use a hedge trimmer can be time-consuming and hassling. You need to learn to operate a whole set of tools for trimming. 

On the other hand, if you already possess the pruning saw and know exactly how to use it, you can save a decent amount of time. There’s no need to spend time on learning new skills.

Useful For Quick and Rough Hedge Trimming

Considering you need to trim very thin barks, twigs, and branches, the hedges can be trimmed roughly. 

If you want a tool for rough usage rather than needing a professional cut, a pole saw can be smoothly used without any inconvenience.

Reasons You Should Not Use A Pole Saw For Trimming Hedges

Here are some drawbacks of using a pole saw as a hedge trimmer:

Imperfection Trimming

For professional trimming, there’s a specialized machine known as a hedge trimmer. On hedges, using pole saws may cause uneven and imperfect trimming of the hedges. It’ll damage the beauty of your hedges.

A little imperfection in trimming will be noticeable even from a long distance. That’s why, hedges of residential and commercial areas should be only trimmed by trimmer instead of pole saws.

Can Cause Accidents

A pole saw contains a small chain saw installed efficiently on one end of the pole. Remember that chainsaws are dangerous tools. As it can cause fatal accidents, it should always be used carefully.

Since manual saws can’t be used to trim hedges, only powered ones should be utilized. If you want to cut the hedge using the pole saw, you need to hold it horizontally.

In addition, the weight distribution of pole saws doesn’t support gripping them horizontally. You have to lift & hold it very carefully by applying more force. 

Even a slight disbalance can cause accidents.

Related: How To Avoid Cutting Hedge Trimmer Cable?

What Tool Is Best To Trim Hedges? — Alternative Options

If you’re not willing to spend money on a pole saw, there are other tools that can be super helpful, such as pruners, shears, loppers, and secateurs.

1. Pruners

Pruners can be a great option for trimming hedges without requiring the use of a ladder. As these machines come in different shapes and sizes, selecting the right one that meets your requirements is crucial.

They are also an incredible choice for reaching high branches that cannot be accessed using a traditional saw. If you have tall trees in your possessions, it is certainly the best tool for the job.

However, if you’re inclined to take on the challenge, trimming your hedges with pruners can be a pleasant and fulfilling experience.

Pros:

• Lightweight and convenient
• Pruners can be used to perform various gardening chores
• Allows specific cuts on every single branch
• used to perform many other gardening chores
• Economical

Cons:

• Need more physical effort to utilize than a pole saw
• Restricted reach is not recommended for taller or thicker hedges

2. Using Secateurs

Secateurs are very early and helpful trimming tools for trees and shrubs. Gardeners and arborists used it. If you only have a small hedge with thin branches, you can certainly use secateurs to trim it.

When cutting branches with secateurs, try to cut at a slight angle rather than straight across. This will help prevent the cut from becoming infected with fungus or disease.

Pros:

• It can be used for minor projects.
• Less expensive and budget-friendly.
• Precise trimming can be done.
• Easily movable. It causes no exhaustion or what so ever.
• It is very handy, and its manual mechanism gets rides of all the concerns about battery gas or electricity.

Cons: 

• Inappropriate for big projects.
• It takes an extremely long time to finish the task.
• Sharp and equal trimming is not possible.

3. Loppers

If you need a tool for minor pruning of hedges and small trees, loppers are a very good choice. They have long handles that give you additional reach, and their sharp blades can slice through most branches that are more than an inch in diameter.

If you’re looking for a tool that can be used for multiple purposes, a set of loppers is a wise decision. You can use them for trimming hedges along with the pruning of small trees.

Pros:

• More accurate while cutting each branch
• Flexible for several gardening tasks
• Lightweight and easy to manipulate 
• Noise-less as compared to pole saw 
• Budget-friendly option

Cons:

• Need more physical labor to use
• Not practical for tall and thick hedges
• It can cause more harm to plants if not used accurately

4. Shears

When it comes to trimming hedges, shears are an excellent tool to use, but if you have insufficient shears or if the hedge is too high to reach with shears, a pole saw can be used instead.

Shears are originally long gardening scissors with two long blades that are ideal for cutting and trimming tiny shrubs and hedges.

Pros:

• Movable and lightweight for less fatigue
• Can cut the hedge ends equally
• Manipulating is effortless
• It can be used in personal gardens or lawn
• Economical and easy to use

Cons:

• It takes a very long time to trim with precision
• Not recommended for professional hedge trimming in commercial areas

Related: How To Use Black and Decker Hedge Trimmer

How To Use a Pole Saw To Trim Hedges?

You may need to use a pole saw to trim hedges in difficult or unprepared situations. However, before doing so, it is crucial to enlighten yourself with the step-by-step procedure for utilizing a pole saw to trim hedges.

Step One: Preparation

Before trimming the hedge, examine the worksite and make initial preparations. If using electric pole saws, ensure that all connections are secure. Wearing a full set of personal defensive gear is significant to ensure your safety.

Keep the work site free of dead leaves, branches, and bark from trees. Moreover, ensure that no walkers or children are near the worksite.

Step Two: Trimming Procedure

To reduce the size of the pole saw, strongly grasp the operating end in a horizontal position. Take the time to understand the weight handling before slowly checking the chain saw and swinging from the back to the forward direction.

While checking, avoid over-swinging the chainsaw. Move forward and keep the swing to the Ryobi pole saw with ease and patience!

Remember that the pole saw hedge trimmer combo works amazingly!

Related: How To Use Ryobi Hedge Trimmer – An Ultimate Guide

Should I Get a Pole Saw or Hedge Trimmer?

When you decide between a pole hedge trimmer and a pole saw, consider the type of task you need to do. 

If you’re doing to deal with larger trees or branches that need to be trimmer, you should go with a pole saw. 

This is because it has a long reach, so you may trim away branches without needing to climb up the ladder.

Anyhow, if you’re searching for something to cut smaller shrubs and branches, a hedge trimmer can be an ideal choice. 

It’s easy to maneuver and lightweight, so it’s good for tidying up the garden quickly.

Ultimately, it comes down to what sort of job you have to do and which specific tool will best suit it.

Related: Why Is My Hedge Trimmer Blade Not Moving

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is it safe to use a pole saw as a hedge trimmer?

Using a pole saw as a hedge trimmer can be secure if the manufacturer’s instructions are followed and the tool is used accurately. However, it’s important to understand that pole saws can be harmful when not used correctly, so taking necessary safety precautions is crucial.

2) Can you use a pole saw without oil?

In general, using a pole saw without oil is not suggested. Oil plays a demanding role in lubricating the internal components of the pole saw, preventing damage because of friction or heat. Without proper lubrication, the metal parts of the pole saw may wear down quickly and could even break, display the tool risky to use.

3) How thick of a branch can a pole saw cut?

The cutting capacity of a dewalt pole saw depends on its type and motor power. Electric pole saws usually have a maximum cutting capacity of 6-8 inches in diameter, while gas-powered ones are more powerful and can cut branches up to 10-12 inches thick. 

Anyhow, the size of the branch also depends on the sharpness of the chain and the pressure applied during cutting. For cutting larger branches, it’s crucial to use a sharp chain and take the necessary time to ensure that the branch is cut cleanly.

4) What are the disadvantages of using a pole saw as a hedge trimmer?

 Using a pole saw as a hedge trimmer may have the drawback of being less flexible compared to a standard hedge trimmer. In addition, using a pole saw as a hedge trimmer may need more physical effort, making it more tiring to use.

5) Can I use a pole saw on tree limbs? 

Yes, a pole saw can be used to reach and cut in-accessible tree branches. Its design gives a strong grip on branches, providing controlled and flawless cuts. However, it is crucial to select a pole saw that is suitable for the diameter of your tree’s branches, as different sizes of pole saws are available for different cutting capacities.

6) How do I attach a hedge trimmer blade to my pole saw?

To join a hedge trimmer blade to your pole saw, following the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model is important. Normally, the hedge trimmer connection should be installed and securely knotted onto the end of the pole saw.

Conclusion

So, can you use a pole saw as a hedge trimmer?

Well, apart from regular pruning and trimming, you can use pole saws to cut hedges too. It could save you so much money buying a new tool & time for learning the tool usage.

But remember that it won’t do the task as precisely and accurately as a hedge trimmer!

Both these tools have different working orders and principles. But if you know the right way to usage, you can easily trim hedges with the help of a pole saw.

However, it’s not recommended because of its inefficient trimming. For emergency situations, you can definitely give it a shot!