A pole saw is one of those tools you don't realize you need until you're staring up at a branch hanging over your garage. Hiring an arborist for routine branch trimming runs $200–$500 per visit. Buying a quality cordless pole saw pays for itself the first time you use it instead of calling a pro — and removes the ladder from the equation entirely.
This guide covers when a pole saw beats a chainsaw, the specs that actually matter for cordless models, the safety rules that are non-negotiable, and the Greenworks 80V pole saw built for serious residential tree maintenance.
What Is a Pole Saw and When Do You Need One?
A pole saw is essentially a small chainsaw mounted on an extension pole. The motor sits at one end, the chain-and-bar at the other, and you control everything from the rear handle. The whole point is to cut branches above your head without standing on a ladder.
You need a pole saw if:
- You have trees with branches over your house, garage, or driveway. Routine pruning to keep them off the roof.
- You maintain mature trees that need periodic limb removal. Storm damage, dead branches, suckers, anything between 6 and 15 feet up.
- You don't want to climb ladders with a chainsaw. This is a major one — chainsaw-and-ladder accidents are among the worst home accidents possible.
- You're trimming high hedges or topiary. Some pole saws double as pole hedgers, but a dedicated pole hedger is better for that specific task.
You probably don't need a pole saw if your trees are small, fully accessible from the ground, or you only do major work once a decade (rent a pole saw for those infrequent jobs).
Pole Saw vs Chainsaw — When to Use Which
| Pole Saw | Chainsaw | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | High branches above 6 feet | Ground-level cutting, felling, firewood |
| Max branch diameter | ~6" | Up to bar length (10"–20"+) |
| Reach | Up to 15+ feet overhead | Arm's length only |
| Cutting position | Stand on ground, point up | Stand at the cut, both hands on saw |
| Best at | Pruning, limbing, sucker removal | Felling trees, bucking logs, firewood |
If you do both ground-level cutting and overhead branch work, you'll want both tools. The good news: in the 80V ecosystem, the same battery powers both, so adding a tool-only pole saw to a chainsaw setup is just the tool cost.
What "Best" Actually Means for a Cordless Pole Saw
Five specs separate a great cordless pole saw from a mediocre one:
- Bar length — how thick a branch you can cut in one pass
- Total reach — how high you can cut from the ground
- Voltage and motor type — determines cutting power and runtime
- Chain speed — how fast and clean the cut is
- Automatic oiler — keeps the chain lubricated continuously
Bar Length Match to Branches You'll Actually Cut
Match the bar to the work. Pole saws aren't meant for thick logs — that's chainsaw territory:
| Bar Length | Max Branch Diameter | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 8" | ~5" | Light pruning, sucker removal |
| 10" | ~6" | Standard residential pruning, dead branch removal |
| 12" | ~8" | Heavier branch work, occasional commercial use |
For most homeowners, a 10" bar is the sweet spot. Longer than that gets unwieldy on an extension pole, where every extra inch of bar adds weight you're holding overhead.
Total Reach Matters More Than Bar Length
"Total reach" is the height you can cut to from standing on the ground. It's a combination of pole length and the user's height. Most quality pole saws offer reach in the 11–15 foot range. The Greenworks 80V 10" pole saw delivers an 11-foot reach — enough for most residential trees.
If you have very tall trees (25'+) with branches needing trimming above 15 feet, no homeowner pole saw will reach. That's professional arborist territory. Don't try to extend a pole saw with auxiliary poles or stand on a ladder with one — both are dangerous.
Voltage and Brushless Motors
Pole saws cut continuously through wood — same load profile as a chainsaw, but with the motor at the end of a long pole. Voltage matters:
- 20V to 40V: Light pruning. Will bog on anything thicker than dead branches.
- 60V: Mid-range residential pole saws. Handles standard branch work.
- 80V: Gas-equivalent power. Cuts through hardwood branches without bogging.
And always look for brushless motors. Pole saws run under continuous load when cutting. Brushless designs run cooler under load, deliver more torque per watt, and last 2–3x longer than brushed motors.
The Best 80V Cordless Pole Saw from Greenworks
For homeowners with mature trees needing periodic pruning and high branch maintenance, the Greenworks 80V 10" Brushless Pole Saw (Tool Only) hits every spec that matters:
| Spec | Greenworks 80V 10" Brushless Pole Saw |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 80V brushless |
| Rated motor power | 0.85 kW |
| Bar length | 10" |
| Chain | 1/4" Low Profile Pitch, .050" Gauge, 58 Drive Links |
| Chain speed | 10 m/s |
| Total reach | 11 feet |
| Extension pole | 8 feet (included) |
| Oiler | Automatic, 80 mL translucent tank |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs |
| Battery | Not included (tool only) |
| Warranty | 4-year tool |
Features that matter specifically for the pole saw buyer:
10 m/s chain speed. This is in the gas-equivalent range. Chain speed determines how fast you cut and how clean the cut is. Slower chains tear at wood; faster chains slice through it cleanly — and clean cuts heal faster on the tree.
0.85 kW brushless motor. Substantial motor power for a pole saw. Cuts through hardwood branches up to 6" diameter without bogging — even with the motor mounted at the end of an 8-foot pole.
11-foot total reach. Standing flat on the ground, you can cut branches roughly 11 feet above your head — plus the extra reach gained by raising the pole at an angle. Enough for most residential tree pruning.
Automatic chain oiler with translucent tank. Keeps the chain lubricated continuously during cutting. The translucent oil tank lets you check oil level at a glance — running a pole saw with an empty oil reservoir damages the chain quickly.
Tool-only purchase saves money if you're already in the platform. A kit with battery and charger runs $200+ more. If you already own a Greenworks 80V mower, blower, or chainsaw, you already have batteries — buy the pole saw tool-only and save.
4-year warranty. Premium residential coverage.
Pole Saw Safety — Non-Negotiable Rules
Pole saws are different from chainsaws in two important ways: the cutting head is far from your body (good — reduces kickback risk), but you're cutting overhead with falling debris (dangerous in different ways).
- Never stand directly under the branch you're cutting. Stand to the side at a 45° angle. When the branch falls, it shouldn't be able to come down on you.
- Keep bystanders at least 50 feet away. Falling branches travel in unpredictable directions, especially if they catch on lower branches on the way down.
- Wear hard hat and safety glasses. Always. Bark, sawdust, and small branch debris fall from above — into your face and eyes if you're not protected.
- Cut long heavy branches in stages. Don't try to cut a 15-foot branch in one go. Cut the end off first to reduce weight, then work your way toward the trunk.
- Keep proper footing. Don't overreach. If you can't comfortably cut a branch from a stable stance, move yourself, not the pole.
- Never extend the reach with auxiliary poles. Greenworks specifically advises against this. The torque on the cutting head increases exponentially with reach.
And: don't cut anywhere near power lines. If a branch is within 10 feet of a power line, call a professional. Pole saw poles conduct electricity — touching a live line with a metal-shafted pole saw can be fatal.
FAQ
What's the maximum branch size a pole saw can cut?
Pole saws are designed for branches up to about 6" diameter. The Greenworks 80V 10" handles that range. Anything larger needs a chainsaw — and at that size, the branch is probably too heavy to safely cut overhead.
How high can the Greenworks 80V pole saw reach?
11 feet overhead with the included 8-foot extension pole, plus extra reach gained by angling the pole rather than holding it straight up. Enough for most residential tree pruning. For taller trees, call a professional.
How long does the battery last per charge?
Depends on battery size and how much you're cutting. The 80V pole saw on a 2.0Ah battery runs roughly 35–45 minutes of intermittent cutting. Larger 4.0Ah or 8.0Ah batteries extend that significantly.
Can I convert the pole saw into a chainsaw?
No. The pole saw is purpose-built for overhead cutting and isn't designed to be detached and used as a handheld chainsaw. For ground-level cutting, get a separate chainsaw.
Why does the chain need oil?
Friction. The chain spins rapidly through the wood, and without lubrication it would overheat, dull immediately, and potentially break. The automatic oiler keeps the chain coated during cutting — but you have to top off the reservoir periodically. Use standard bar and chain oil.
Can I use the pole saw on hedges?
Technically yes, but a dedicated pole hedge trimmer does a cleaner, more controlled job. A pole saw can chunk through hedge tops in a pinch but won't give you the smooth professional look of a hedge trimmer.
Trim Without the Ladder
If you have mature trees with branches that need periodic maintenance — and you'd rather not climb a ladder with a chainsaw — the Greenworks 80V 10" Brushless Pole Saw (Tool Only) is built for that homeowner. 80V brushless motor, 10" bar, 10 m/s chain speed, 11-foot reach, automatic oiler, and full integration with the Greenworks 80V battery ecosystem.
Keep reading:
- One Battery System Saves You Money — The Greenworks Ecosystem — Why staying inside one battery platform saves Canadian homeowners hundreds.
- Greenworks 80V vs EGO 56V — The Battery Showdown — Battery technology and power delivery compared.
- Greenworks vs Ryobi — A Canadian Buyer's Comparison — Power, price, and ecosystem compared head-to-head.
- Greenworks Lawn Mower Review — Every Model for 2026 — Pair your pole saw with the right mower in the 80V lineup.