Homeowner Forum / Lawn and Garden / July 2008

The chaim saw on a pole pruners work well for removing tree limbs, for
pruning a hedge I prefer the manual pruners that will handle brances
up to an inch and half in diameter, Lighter and much easier to manage.
http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=GIM-418TCS

Perhaps one of these would work.
http://www.stihlusa.com/hedgetrimmers/extendedhedgetrimmer.html

A chainsaw is not the answer.  It will not cut small soft growth.

Here's an idea similar to Pat's, except that the motor can be used with a
number of different attachments. The Troy Bilt products can be examined at
most any Lowes home improvement store.  The middle of the page displays the
trimmer.
http://www.troybilt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category2_10001_14102_54980_54
980_54980_-1_3_8
You could probably buy the extension pole you see, (in the next product
down), through their parts dept. MTD owns Troy Bilt and they have extensive
online parts cataloging & sales.

I also have the cultivator, which is the first item on the page.  It's the
very best small powered hand tiller out there IMHO.  If you page back to
page 1 you'll see the motor / string trimmer units.  If you get serious
about this option, I would recommend the TB70SS motor unit with the straight
shaft trimmer. Much less tiresome to use. By using this interchangeable
attachment method, you only need to keep one motor running for several
tools. Much easier to assure fresh gas in the tank.

Steve Young

Andy comments:

 A chain saw won't do your job.

If a hedge trimmer on a ladder will work now, a hedge trimmer
on a pole will work.

 I suggest you buy a hedge trimmer, a roll of duct tape, and a
20 ft fence rail.  Judicious use of a hack saw , a couple bolts,
and the duct tape should give you what you need, and when you
are thru, you can restore it to what it was.....  Buying a hedge
trimmer on a pole to use once or twice a year doesn't seem
very cost effective to me...

  Personally, I have trouble cutting arbor vitae even with a hedge
trimmer and usually  used a ladder and a pair of snippers.
Perhaps you have a better trimmer.

... but, good luck to you on it.  If you come up  with a good
solution, please post it back here....  Inquiring minds want
to know......  :>)))

            Andy in Eureka, Texas

PS   Arbor vitae are very susceptable to bag worms.  They can
    destroy a large tree in two or three days beyond recovery.
     Be advised.......     Been there, done that......

Thanks for the help from all of you

aaaron123@roadrunner.com writes:

If you have limited use for it, you might consider renting one.