Cutting tree branches is a necessary activity to ensure your property or outdoor premises look fantastic. However, you need help to cut tree branches, especially thick branches. This is where the best tools and devices to cut tree branches are so effective, and this guide details 14 of the best tools which cut through a tree branch with minimal fuss or effort.
A Chainsaw
When it comes to the first tool many people think of when cutting tree branches; it is likely many individuals say chainsaw. This hugely influential machine makes light work of all kinds of trees, cutting thick branches with relative ease.
A significant reason why many people choose a chainsaw is that you don’t need to extort any effort in using it. As long as you can hold the device, the machinery provides you with the cutting power you need, saving effort and energy.
You’ll Cut Through Thick Branches In No Time With High Power Tools
Of course, there is a significant danger associated with chainsaws, and if you intend to use one, you must do so safely. You should follow manufacturer instructions, invest in safety equipment such as goggles and gloves, and train yourself in the proper use of a chainsaw before using it.
A chainsaw is best for people cutting thick branches and want to minimise time without compromising on the quality of work. Also, a chainsaw is the most effective branch-cutting tool if you have small trees where you can reach branches while standing on the ground.
It might be best to leave gas powered or electric powered tools to a professional arborist who deals with heavy duty tasks, but this is a great tool for people who deal with a lot of branches and trees.
A Pole Chainsaw
Given the effectiveness of the traditional chainsaw, it is no surprise variations of the model are available. As stated above, chainsaws are a great choice, but some things could be improved, including challenges in cutting high tree branches.
The solution to this problem lies in the form of a pole chainsaw. This tool combines the traditional chainsaw’s reliable cutting power, allowing you to cut branches safely at a greater height.
Trim Tree Branches At Height Without Danger
It is possible to reach branches that are 15 to 20 ft in the air with this device, and the chainsaw can go through thick branches. If you have tree branches that are 8 to 10 inches in diameter, rest assured a pole chainsaw has enough power to cut through thick branches while you stay safe on the ground.
A pole chainsaw is best for people who appreciate the tremendous cutting power of a traditional chainsaw but who need to cut many tall branches. The added length in this device ensures you work quickly and safely, even with a high tree branch.
Pruning Shears / Secateurs
Pruning shears are a ubiquitous tool for gardeners, and if you spend any time making the outside of your home or property look pretty, you should have a set of these at your disposal. While many people associate these shears with flowers, they can cut through weak or small tree branches.
As the name suggests, pruning shears allow you to pare back limbs and growth, although these shears cannot cut through thick branches. If you have a lot of work to do, you’ll need a lot of time on your hands to use this sort of device, but for quick work, it is a fantastic way to clean up part of your garden.
Shears Are Great For The Occasional Cutting Job
You will need some strength to snap off twigs, limbs and branches, but shears are safe. You can even use them on a ladder, so if you want peace of mind to tidy up small tasks and carry out quick cutting or paring back jobs around the home, this is an excellent choice and a handy addition to your toolbox.
Pruning shears are best for people with a small number of trees they want to keep tidy and require regular pruning. The convenient nature of these shears is ideal for people who keep on top of garden maintenance, and they’ll assist you with regular clearing and clean-up work.
Anvil Shears
Anvil shears are best for clipping branches and small limbs, but if that is all you need, why waste money on a device that is too powerful. This is a small yet powerful device that can be stored away safely, or carried around, allowing you to deal with problems as you spot them. Another great feature with an anvil shear is you can use it one-handed.
Anvil shears are best for people who have specific pruning needs, or who want a handy tool that adds flexibility to how they deal with tree branch problems. You also have anvil pruners if you like this device but deal with small branches.
Pruning Saw
Only some people want to work with a power tool or electrical device when working in the garden. Electricity and power sources in the open air is a concern for many people, especially in an area that receives a lot of rain or wind. Also, plugged-in power tools are a safety hazard. Even if you take every precaution, all it takes is an accident or unexpected issue arising, and there could be a significant problem.
Therefore, a pruning saw, durable enough to remove tough branches without using any power source, is a comfortable choice for many people. Given the sharp teeth on the blade, this is still a dangerous tool that needs to be managed correctly, but it is generally an effective tool that is safer than many other options in the market.
Most pruning saws have a traditional “D” grip, making the cutting process simple and manageable. This is the sort of cutting device that has been around for centuries, if not longer, and sometimes it is hard to improve on the classics of a genre.
The pruning saw is ideal for people who have the strength and energy to provide power to cut through thick branches and who would rather avoid the risks of electrical devices.
Electric Pruning Saw
While pruning shears are a fantastic tool for many households, some people lack the required power or cutting ability. As with many things in life, there is a need for a solution which sits between two more traditional products, and the electric pruning saw is a fantastic example of this.
When you like the convenience of pruning shears but need more cutting ability associated with a chainsaw, the electric pruning saw comes to your rescue. This is a relatively recent addition to the marketplace, but you have plenty of options to consider, and no matter your budget, you should find something that meets your needs.
You can choose between electric and battery-powered models, and powerful pruning electric saws can easily cut through three to four inches of branches.
Pruning electric saws are best for people who don’t want to own a chainsaw but need more power than pruning shears offer.
Pole Pruner
When you cut branches at height, but would prefer to avoid a chainsaw or a power tool, a pole pruner is ideal to cut thick branches above your head height.
This device extends your reach while working in the same manner as all pruning tools, snapping and cutting thick branches with your strength and power.
The pole pruner is helpful in removing dead branches, and provides a better reach than hand pruners. This tool is best to maintain tree health and cutting branches at height when you’d rather not use a dangerous power tool.
The pole saw is a similar device, but which adds more cutting power when you trim branches at height. A pole saw can sometimes be unwieldy to use, but for those who are comfortable with it, a pole saw is an ideal way to deal with larger branches above your head.
Tree Loppers
If you want something more potent than pruning shears but fear an electric pruning saw is too much for you, tree loppers are well worth considering. This tool acts like a cutter, covering thicker branches than a pruning shear manages.
You’ll need some strength with this tool, because once you position the blades around the branch, you pull the device together, taking the branch or limb out of action. It is a quick and simple way to remove tree branches, but its usability depends on your strength.
Cutting Branches Above Your Head Is Simple With The Right Tool
Another benefit is that you can extend this tool, so if you want to reach branches and limbs above your head, you can do so without climbing a ladder. If you have stability issues or don’t like heights, this is a fantastic tool that makes your life easy.
Many people also find this tool style very comfortable, which means you can use it for prolonged periods. If you choose tree loppers with comfortable grips, it also boosts your strength, which should ensure you deal with robust or tricky tree limbs without putting yourself under too much pressure.
Add in the fact most of these devices are well made, meaning they’ll last a long time if you care for them, and you have a device which offers tremendous value for money.
Tree loppers are best for dealing with rigid tree limbs and branches at height and for people who want peace of mind about a tool which lasts a long time.
Long Reach Tree Pruner
When choosing the right tool for your property and garden, you need to consider the tree branches you want to cut, their location, and any issues that might prevent you from removing tree limbs.
For example, if you have tall trees but are uncomfortable with heights, you need a tool that allows you to work from the comfort of the ground. Some people have safety concerns about climbing ladders, especially with a cutting device in their hand, so for peace of mind, a long-reach tree pruner helps you remove limbs above your head.
It is common to find this tool reaching 7ft into the air, so when you combine this with your height, it provides a considerable reach above you. Also, if you are relatively short, this device allows you to deal with branches that taller people have no difficulty with. Being able to deal with issues at home without relying on others is a great comfort, making a tool that reaches above you a great addition.
You’ll also find this device is light to carry and lift, which is another brilliant factor for many people. If you don’t have much strength, you need a lightweight device that still packs enough punch to cut through tree limbs, which delivers.
The long-reach tree pruner is best for people who need assistance in cutting down tree limbs above their heads. It is also an excellent choice for people looking for a lightweight cutter.
Bow Saw
An alternative to the pruning saw is a bow saw, which is slightly easier to cut through branches. The tool works by rocking it back and forth, which requires less strength to power through robust limbs.
The bow saw is an updated take on the traditional saw, with improved ease of use. There are bow saws for all budgets and a wide range of sizes. Make sure you know the width of branches you want to cut through to ensure you find a bow saw that is big enough for your needs.
A bow saw is the best tool for people who want to avoid power tools but who need a high level of strength when cutting off branches and limbs. The bow saw, and its rocking movement is an easier-to-use upgrade on a traditional saw, making it better for people who lack upper body strength.
A Chopping Axe
If you picture yourself as a lumberjack who is at one with nature, you likely imagine yourself using an axe to fell a tree. Axes are very sharp, so there is a safety element to using this tool, and equally, a tree can be felled quickly, so make sure you don’t place yourself or others at risk when using an axe.
The sharp nature of the tool means you can cut through branches and tree limbs very quickly, and you can even manage the bark, body and tree stumps if you so desire. Something compelling about an axe makes it a natural choice for many people but always bear in mind that this is a severe tool that is dangerous in the wrong hands.
A chopping axe is perfect for those who want to work quickly and effectively but are content to follow all safety precautions.
A Hatchet
A hatchet is a suitable choice if you like the idea of an axe but want something more portable and convenient. It isn’t as powerful or as effective as an axe in dealing with trees, but it should provide you with everything you need to deal with small limbs, branches and modest trees.
You also have the added benefit of having a brilliant tool for camping or chopping up firewood. If you engage in these activities, investing in a hatchet provides you with a suitable tool for various activities, ensuring you enjoy a far better return on your money.
A hatchet is best for people who spend much time in the great outdoors and benefit from a more convenient version of an axe.
A Crosscut Saw
A crosscut saw is a light saw that makes it easy for people to remove tree branches without too much effort. A crosscut saw is effective if you are looking for a manual option that won’t place you under too much stress but still does the job.
The tool works by resting on the tree, and you rock it back and forth. As long as you know how the limb will fall and take safety precautions around that, a crosscut saw is durable while being light, robust and easy to use.
Find Value For Money When Dealing With Heavy Branches
A crosscut saw is often more expensive than some manual cutting tools. Still, as it helps many people achieve results they cannot see with other methods, it is a value-for-money solution to consider.
If you have someone to help you, a “two-man crosscut saw” is also worth considering. This is the saw you instantly associate with loggers, cartoons and rugged endeavours in forests.
If you know what you are doing, this device is fantastic, making light work of even the toughest of trees. When you develop a rhythm, you’ll find it will quickly cut through stumps, let alone branches.
The crosscut saw is best for people who appreciate a manual cutting tool but need support in powering it through robust trees and branches.
Folding Hand Saw
Of course, you don’t always need a high-power tool or massive device to cut through a tree branch. If you have small or modest trees with weak branches, and you mainly focus on pruning and maintenance work, a folding hand saw is likely to be of great value.
Ideal For Thin Branches And Smaller Plants
These devices are small, but well-made, and they have safety features which prevent accidents. For a lightweight tool, these saws pack a punch, and you should be able to cut through 4 inch branch diameters without too much work.
The folding hand saw is the best tool for people looking for a convenient way to cut through smaller branches, and maintain the condition of modest trees. A reliable hand pruner makes pruning easier, which emphasise the importance of the right tools for the right job. You don’t always need gas powered or electric powered devices when cutting trees. Check out our post also about the best tool for cutting small trees.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Tool To Cut Through A Tree Branch
Some of the things to bear in mind when you look for your next cutting tool include:
- At what height are the branches you want to remove?
- How tough are the tree branches you need to cut through?
- The branch size you need to remove?
- How many tree branches do you need to cut?
- Are you okay working with powered tools, or do you need a manual cutter?
- Are you going to cut tree branches by yourself, or will someone help you?
- Are you able to maintain the quality of the cutting blade if required?
These are all important factors to bear in mind, and your answer will determine what cutting tool is best for your needs.
Find The Cutting Tools Which Help You Manage Trees On Your Property
Pruning a tree and tree cutting is helpful for maintaining a tree’s health. The best device to deal with one tree might not be the best for other tree cutting tasks. There is a wide array of sharp tools on offer, and knowing what your and other tools do will help you preserve your tree’s health.
Tree cutting is vital, and with a sharp blade and a comfortable grip, it can be an enjoyable activity too.
