Chainsaws and Wood
Pole Saw vs Chainsaw: Which Do You Need for Tree Trimming?
Quick answer
Use a pole saw for limbs overhead, cutting from the ground up to about 13 to 14 ft; the EGO PS1001 reaches 13 ft. Use a chainsaw like the EGO CS1613 for fallen limbs, small trees and firewood below shoulder height. They are different tools: a pole saw cannot fell or buck well, and a chainsaw must never be raised overhead.
EGO Power+ PS1001 10 in. Telescopic Pole Saw Kit with 2.5Ah Battery
$339.00A 10 in bar on a telescopic carbon fiber shaft for up to 13 ft of total reach.
Best for: regular tree limbing on mature suburban lots
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EGO Power+ CS1613 16 in. Chainsaw Kit with 4.0Ah Battery
$299.00A 16 in battery saw EGO rates as a 40cc gas equivalent.
Best for: pruning, storm cleanup and occasional firewood without gas
Check price on AmazonA pole saw is a small chainsaw head, usually with a 10 in bar, on the end of a long shaft, so you can prune limbs above your head while standing on the ground. A chainsaw is a handheld saw with a longer bar and far more power, meant to be held with both hands at waist height. Most people cross-shopping them are really asking how to deal with branches that are out of reach, and the answer to that is a pole saw, never a chainsaw on a ladder.
If you have mature trees, you probably want both: a pole saw to take limbs down and a chainsaw to cut them into manageable pieces on the ground. The EGO PS1001 ($339.00) and EGO CS1613 ($299.00) share batteries. Size the chainsaw with the chainsaw bar length calculator.
On this page
How does a pole saw compare with a chainsaw?
| Factor | Pole saw | Chainsaw |
|---|---|---|
| Bar length | 10 in on most catalog models; 12 in on the ECHO PPT-2620 | 12 to 20 in on catalog models |
| Reach | 13 ft total (EGO PS1001); 14 ft (Greenworks 80V, WEN CP0810) | Arm's length, below shoulder height |
| Best job | Pruning limbs overhead from the ground | Fallen limbs, small trees, firewood rounds |
| Power | Light: Greenworks rates its 60V pole saw as a 21cc gas equivalent | Higher: EGO rates the CS1613 as a 40cc equivalent |
| Runtime | Up to 100 cuts per charge (EGO PS1001, 2.5Ah) | Up to 130 cuts on a 4x4 (EGO CS1613, 4.0Ah) |
| Felling trees | No | Small trees only; large trees need an arborist |
| Bucking firewood | Slow and awkward | Yes |
| Control | Leverage makes the head feel heavy at full extension | Two hands close to the bar |
| Safe working height | From the ground, standing to the side of the limb | Never above shoulder height |
| Catalog price | $339.00 (EGO kit) | $299.00 (EGO kit) |
Specs from EGO, Greenworks, ECHO and WEN listings. Reach includes the user's height where the maker quotes total reach.
Which should you choose, a pole saw or a chainsaw?
Choose a pole saw if:
- You need to remove limbs above your head: low branches over a driveway, roof edge clearance, dead wood in mature trees.
- You would otherwise be tempted to climb a ladder with a saw.
- Your cutting is pruning rather than processing wood.
Choose a chainsaw if:
- You cut limbs and trunks that are already on the ground.
- You fell small trees or buck firewood.
- You clean up after storms, where downed wood needs sectioning.
Choose both if you have several mature trees. On the same battery system the second tool is cheaper; EGO also sells the PSA1020 pole saw attachment for its Multi-Head power head.
Can a pole saw replace a chainsaw?
Only for light work. A pole saw cuts branches up to a few inches thick quickly, and with the shaft collapsed it can section small limbs on the ground. It is not built to fell a tree, cut firewood or handle a large downed limb: the bar is short, the motor is small and the long shaft makes controlled cuts at ground level awkward. Chainsaws, in turn, cannot replace a pole saw, because the only way to reach overhead with one is a ladder or holding it above your shoulders, both of which are how serious chainsaw injuries happen.
If you want one budget tool for occasional overhead pruning near an outlet, the corded WEN CP0810 ($74.99) weighs 8.4 lb and reaches 14 ft. For regular pruning on a larger property, the gas ECHO PPT-2620 is a commercial power pruner with a shaft extending to 12.1 ft.
Hedge trimmer vs pole saw: which do you need?
They cut different material. A hedge trimmer uses reciprocating blades to shear leafy shrub growth and thin twigs: the EGO HT2601 is rated to cut up to 1.2 in, and pole hedge trimmers cut less, 5/8 in on the Greenworks 40V pole hedge and 3/4 in on the CRAFTSMAN V20 pole hedge, which reaches up to 11 ft. A pole saw uses a chain to cut woody limbs well beyond that thickness but leaves a single cut, not a shaped hedge face.
Shape hedges with a hedge trimmer, and use a pole hedge trimmer for tall hedge tops you would otherwise need a ladder for. Remove limbs from trees with a pole saw. Multi-head systems let one power head do both. See the best hedge trimmers and best pole saws roundups.
How do you cut a limb safely with a pole saw?
- Check for power lines. Look up and all around. If any part of the tree or the pole could come within 10 ft of a line, stop and call the utility.
- Plan where the limb will fall. Clear people, pets and cars from the drop zone and stand to the side of the limb, never directly beneath it.
- Make an undercut. About a foot out from the trunk, cut upward about a third of the way through the limb to prevent bark tearing.
- Make the top cut. A little farther out than the undercut, cut down through the limb so it drops cleanly.
- Remove the stub. Cut the remaining stub just outside the branch collar, the swollen ring where the limb meets the trunk, without cutting flush.
When should you call an arborist instead?
Call a certified arborist for any limb near a power line (the utility may handle those), large limbs over a roof, anything that requires climbing, trees that lean or are cracked, and storm damage where wood is twisted or under tension. A pole saw extends your reach, not your skill, and heavy limbs can swing back along the pole when they release. This is a place to spend money rather than save it.
Pole saws and chainsaws to consider
More in the best pole saws and best chainsaws roundups.
EGO Power+ PS1001 10 in. Telescopic Pole Saw Kit with 2.5Ah Battery
$339.00A telescopic carbon fiber shaft for 13 ft of total reach, an LED cut line indicator and up to 100 cuts on the included 2.5Ah battery.
Best for: regular limbing on suburban lots
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Greenworks 60V 10 in. Pole Saw Kit with 2.0Ah Battery
$179.98Rated as a 21cc gas equivalent with 14.5 ft of reach and up to 120 cuts per charge, plus a 4-year tool and battery warranty.
Best for: occasional pruning on a budget
Check price on Amazon EGO Power+ CS1613 16 in. Chainsaw Kit with 4.0Ah Battery
$299.00A 16 in saw EGO rates as a 40cc equivalent, with tool-free tensioning, IPX4 weather resistance and batteries shared with the pole saw.
Best for: cutting up limbs on the ground
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CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCPHT818D1 18 in. Pole Hedge Trimmer Kit
$179.00Up to 11 ft of reach, a 5-position pivoting head and 18 in dual-action blades that cut branches up to 3/4 in.
Best for: hedge tops without a ladder
Check price on AmazonHow we chose
We did not test these products in person. Picks are researched from manufacturer specifications and owner manuals, engine and safety certifications where they apply, warranty terms, public recall records, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We favor established brands with large review counts and parts support, match each pick to a real yard size or task, and place it in the tier where its price and capability actually belong.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pole saw or chainsaw better for trimming trees?
A pole saw is better for trimming limbs that are above your head, because you cut from the ground. A chainsaw is better for cutting limbs once they are down and for small tree removal. Never use a chainsaw above shoulder height or from a ladder. Many owners of mature trees use both, and a shared battery system like EGO makes the pair cheaper.
How high can a pole saw reach?
Most homeowner pole saws reach about 12 to 14.5 ft including your own height. The EGO PS1001 reaches up to 13 ft (17 ft with EGO's extension pole), the Greenworks 80V and WEN CP0810 list 14 ft, and the Greenworks 60V lists 14.5 ft. Limbs higher than that are generally a job for an arborist.
What size branch can a pole saw cut?
Pole saws with a 10 in bar handle branches up to a few inches thick comfortably. The practical limit is less about the bar than about weight: a thick limb cut at full extension can swing, pinch the chain or fall unpredictably. Cut heavy limbs in shorter sections from the tip inward, use the undercut method and leave large limbs to a certified arborist.
Hedge trimmer vs pole saw: which is better for branches?
For woody branches, a pole saw. Hedge trimmers shear leafy growth and thin stems, with rated cut capacities of about 5/8 to 1.2 in on catalog models. Forcing thicker wood through hedge blades jams and dulls them. Use a pole saw for limbs and a hedge or pole hedge trimmer such as the CRAFTSMAN V20 pole hedge for shaping shrubs and hedge tops.
Can I use a pole saw near power lines?
No. Keep the saw, the pole and the limb at least 10 ft from any overhead line, and remember that a falling or springing branch can swing into a line. Service drops to your house count too. Call your electric utility; many will trim limbs near their lines. Pole saws are not insulated tools, and even fiberglass shafts can conduct when dirty or damp.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.