Giving your trees and tall shrubs a haircut can be a great way to let extra light into your garden. But if you don’t want to risk broken bones up a ladder, there is an easier way to do it. A good set of telescopic pruners will let you lop off overhanging branches from the safety of terra firma.
But how do you know which pruners to choose? That’s where we come in! We’re going to look at seven of the best telescopic tree pruners available today. And we’ll help you select the perfect ones to get great results in your garden.
So if you’re ready, let’s get started!
Best Telescopic Tree Pruner In UK
The Best telescopic tree pruner In UK 2023
1. DocaPole Telescopic Tree Pruner Pole
If you’re looking for a tool that can give you plenty of reach, this one from Docazoo could be the answer.
It combines a sharp pruning saw, the Go Saw, with an extending pole. Use them together, and they’ll extend up to 7 metres. That’s pretty impressive.
The pole is in several different sections, so it’s easy to operate at a range of different heights. They slide inside each other, so you just pull out as many as you need. And if you want to prune closer to the ground, you can remove the pole altogether.
The saw itself is ultra-sharp, with a 37-centimetre blade packed with three-sided teeth. Those teeth are shaped so that you’ll get a firm cut on both the forward and backward stroke.
That makes cutting through branches quick and easy. You’ll be able to slice through green branches between 5 and 10 centimetres in diameter without breaking a sweat.
It’s designed to last too. The blade is coated in chrome, so it’s tough and won’t rust. And if you do need to change it over time, replacements are available separately at a reasonable price.
The extension pole is made of aluminium, so it’s strong but light. There’s a solid metal tip, and the handle has a rubber grip so it’s comfortable to hold. It also means it won’t slip, even if you’re pruning in wet weather.
The threaded tip also gives you the option of adding a range of other attachments. Docazoo make loads of these, covering everything from squeegees to feather dusters.
One thing to note is that the telescopic design means that the sections of the pole get progressively narrower. That will mean that the final section will cope with less stress before bending. So make sure you only extend the pole as far as necessary to reach the branches you’re pruning.
And we’ve also heard of some issues with the connection to the blade at the far end of the pole. The connecting piece is attached with rivets, and they have been known to pop out. That will lead to the blade falling off – so check the connection is secure before you start work.
Pros:
- The extension pole offers an impressive reach of 7 metres
- Three-sided teeth are positioned to cut on both the forward and backward stroke
- Can cut through living branches up to 10 centimetres in diameter
Cons:
- Take care to avoid bending the narrowest sections of the pole if using it fully extended
- Watch out for the rivets connecting the blade to the pole – they’ve been known to pop out.
2. Davaon Pro Telescopic Tree Pruners – Extendable Anvil Loppers
Davaon Pro’s telescopic anvil loppers are great for chopping through dry, woody growth. The branch is squeezed between a stationary anvil and a cutting blade for a crisp cut. And they’ll handle branches with a diameter of up to 3.2 centimetres.
The telescopic handles extend from 63 to 95 centimetres. You won’t be able to reach the highest branches, but you’ll get considerably longer reach than with ordinary pruners.
Adjusting the length is very easy. Simply twist the handles, pull them out to your required length, then twist again to lock them in place.
The blades are made from hardened SK5 steel. They’re very resilient and won’t require frequent sharpening.
The design uses a compound mechanism to multiply the power of each cut. That makes it much less effort to cut through thicker branches. You’ll be able to get great results, even if you don’t have a lot of physical strength.
The blades are also equipped with a Teflon coating. That minimises resistance as they move through the wood. And it makes cleaning up easier when you’ve finished.
The handles are made of aluminium, so they’re strong but not too heavy to hold. And there are comfortable rubber grips at the end, so they’re easy on your hands and won’t slip.
There’s very little not to like about these loppers. Their only real limitation is in their reach and ability to cut through branches more than 3.2 centimetres thick. If you don’t need to cut more than two metres or so above ground, they’re great.
Pros:
- Lightweight and comfortable to hold
- The compound mechanism multiplies the force you apply for easier cutting
- Strong SK5 steel blades don’t need to be sharpened often
Cons:
- They won’t extend further than 95 centimetres
- You’ll need something with more power if you have branches thicker than 3.2 centimetres.
3. AIRAJ Heavy Duty Telescopic Anvil Lopper
These anvil loppers from AIRAJ are a similar design to the ones from Davaon, but they’re a little more expensive. So what do you get for your money?
Well, the reach here is slightly longer. Fully extended, the loppers are 103 centimetres long. With the handle packed in tight, they’re 71 centimetres.
The blades are made of heat-treated and hardened SK5 steel, so they’re very resilient. And they’re coated in Teflon to keep them moving smoothly through the cut.
And this is another design that features a compound mechanism. That multiplies the power each time you open and close the handles, helping it slice easily through thicker branches. You’ll get about 50 per cent more force than you would from standard action loppers.
The handles are made of an aluminium compound, so they won’t rust. That also helps keep the loppers to a manageable weight of 1.55 kilograms. That will be easy enough to manoeuvre for most gardeners. But they will bend if you apply too much force when they’re at their maximum extension.
They won’t be suitable for very chunky branches, especially with the handles at their longest. But if you’re looking for loppers to handle growth up to about 3 centimetres thick, these will be fine.
You’ll get a couple of extras too. The price here includes a handy spare blade and a pair of gardening gloves. The spare blade alone means this compares well to the cost of the Davaon model.
Pros:
- Compound mechanism multiplies the force applied by about 50 per cent compared to standard designs
- Tough SK5 steel blades coated in Teflon for a smooth cut
- Comes with a spare blade and gardening gloves
Cons:
- The handles can bend if you apply too much force when they’re fully extended
- Not suitable for branches thicker than about 3 centimetres.
4. Spear & Jackson 4930FZ/03 Telescopic Tree Pruner (Our Top Pick)
Spear and Jackson’s telescopic tree pruner is a very economical option. And it offers plenty of reach.
The handle here will extend from 157.5 to 234 centimetres, so it’s great for reaching up into trees. And despite the length, it weighs a fraction over 2 kilograms, so it’s not too heavy. You’ll also be able to rest the blade on the branch as you prune, to help take the weight.
You’ll get a choice of two cutting options with this one. It comes with a bypass lopper for cutting through woody growth up to 3 centimetres in diameter. And there’s also a saw blade to power through thicker branches. That makes this a very versatile tool.
The cutting blade of the loppers is made from SK5 steel, so it’s very tough. And the teeth of the pruning saw are exceptionally sharp, shearing through tough growth with ease.
The loppers are operated with a cord, and in the past we’d heard complaints about it fraying over time. It seems the manufacturers have taken note and replaced it with a more robust material. The only thing to take care with now is to avoid it wrapping itself around lower branches as you work.
One other thing to watch out for is the mechanism to reduce the length of the pole. If you’ve been using it fully extended, take care as you do this. The top section can slide back down very quickly. Keep your hand away from the clamp area to avoid any injuries.
But use it with care and this is a brilliant tool. The choice of the lopper or saw make it exceptionally versatile, and capable of dealing with branches of all widths. And with the modest price tag, it will suit all budgets.
Pros:
- Features both anvil loppers and a pruning saw
- Maximum extension of 234 centimetres
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- Take care as you loosen the extension pole – the upper section can slide down fast and hit your hand if it’s near the clamp
- Watch out for the cord to avoid it getting tangled in branches.
5. Fiskars PowerGear X Telescopic Tree Pruner
Fiskars’ PowerGear X is the most expensive option on our list by a considerable margin. But if you don’t mind splashing some cash, it offers some excellent features.
First up, there’s its reach. The extension pole will allow you to reach between 2.4 and 4 metres into your trees. And because the cable system is internal, you won’t need to worry about cords getting wrapped around branches.
The handle has a soft grip and is specially coated so it’s resistant to wear. And it’s made of aluminium so it’s reasonably strong without being heavy. The total weight here is 1.89 kilograms.
These loppers use tough steel bypass blades, so they’ll work best with fresh green wood. They’ll slice cleanly through twigs or branches up to 3.2 centimetres in diameter. The counter-blade is reinforced, and both blades have a non-stick coating to reduce resistance.
What’s particularly good about this design is the rotating head. That can twist through 230 degrees, allowing you to get the correct angle whatever direction the branch is growing in.
There are only a couple of niggles to be aware of here.
The first is that the jaws very occasionally get stuck. That means you’ll need to wiggle them a bit to get them to open up again. And we’ve also heard of cases where the rubber grip at the bottom has come off. Not the end of the world, but rather irritating.
But these issues aside, this is a very effective set of loppers. If you have deep pockets and want a bypass design, they’re well worth the investment.
Pros:
- Maximum reach of 4 metres
- Lightweight for such a long extension pole, weighing 1.89 kilograms
- Bypass design is particularly effective on green, sappy growth
Cons:
- The jaws have been known to get stuck, requiring some jiggling to get them open again
- We’ve heard of some cases where the bottom of the pole has come loose.
6. Draper 33855
Draper’s tree pruner uses a similar design to the one from Spear and Jackson. It’s a bit more expensive, but also offers lots of versatility.
That’s because you get both a lopper and a cutting saw. The former will cut through twigs and branches up to 3.2 centimetres across. If you have thicker branches, attach the saw to the telescopic pole and use that instead.
The pole extends from 1.37 to 2.5 metres. And despite weighing only a kilogram, it’s very solid. You won’t find this one bending, even when it’s at full stretch.
It extends with a twist-and-lock mechanism that’s very easy to use. In fact, it can be a little too easy.
If you need to alter the angle at which you’re cutting, you may find the handles unlocking by accident. If you have a more complicated pruning task, with branches at different angles and levels, this isn’t the best choice.
The loppers are operated by a cord, so you’ll need to take care to avoid it tangling in the lower branches. And you’ll need to hold it at the correct angle while you work. If you don’t, it can come detached from the pulley.
A firm spring makes sure the jaws open up again after each cut. The anvil design is best suited to dry, brittle branches. The detachable cutting saw has a blade 35.5 centimetres long, with plenty of teeth to rip through the wood.
This isn’t without its faults, but if you have a straightforward pruning job at height, it’s a good option. And it doesn’t cost a fortune either.
Pros:
- Telescopic pole extends from 1.37 to 2.5 metres
- Choice of loppers or pruning saw to handle twigs and branches of any diameter
- The strong but lightweight pole won’t bend, even at full stretch
Cons:
- Needs to be used with care, or the cord can become tangled or detached
- The twist-and-lock mechanism makes it rather too easy to unlock the pole by accident.
7. Garten Primus 01410 Telescopic Garden Leader, Pruner
The 01410 from Garten Primus is an anvil lopper with a versatile extension pole. It extends in sections, allowing you to reach distances of between 136 and 206 centimetres.
This isn’t designed for sturdier growth. The maximum recommended diameter for branches is just a centimeter. And that measurement really only applies to green, sappy growth. If you’re pruning woodier stems, the maximum is more like 0.5 centimeters.
It will be a good option if you’re looking for a tool to prune your rose tree, but anything sturdier will require a more robust model.
The blade is made from hardened carbon steel, so it’s very strong. And when necessary, it can be resharpened to give you a keen edge.
The cutting head can be rotated through 180 degrees too. That will make it considerably easier if you need to reach branches at awkward angles. But note that it can sometimes bend when you don’t want it to. That’s particularly likely to happen if you’re wrestling with a tougher cut.
The pole is made of aluminium, so it’s strong but lightweight. The whole thing weighs just a kilogram. And there’s no trailing cord to worry about here. Instead the mechanism is housed inside the pole to make it very easy to use. Just squeeze the handle at the bottom and the jaws will open and close.
If you’re looking for a tool to prune lighter branches like roses or clematis, this is a good option. But if you need to cut through thicker tree branches you will need a more robust pruner.
Pros:
- Hardened carbon steel blade can be resharpened as necessary
- Very lightweight, weighing just a kilogram
- Easy to use – just squeeze the handle at the bottom to open and close the jaws
Cons:
- Only suitable for thinner branches up to a maximum of a centimetre in diameter
- The rotating head can sometimes twist when you don’t want it to.
Buying guide
Still not sure which tree pruners will suit your garden? Read on for some features to consider before you part with your money.
What type of branches do you need to cut?
The first thing to think about is what kind of branches you need to prune. By that we mean two things – how thick are they, and are they green or woody?
Thinner branches are easily dealt with using loppers. Each model will usually have a manufacturer’s recommendation for the maximum diameter of the branch it will cut.
It’s a good idea to check reviews too. In some cases, the maximum really is just that. In others, manufacturers have erred on the side of caution, and in practice the loppers will deal with thicker branches.
Whatever loppers you use, the cutting width will be limited by the distance between the jaws. If you want to be able to cut through thicker branches, a pruning saw is a better option.
Look for models with bi-directional teeth. Those will allow you to cut on both the forward and backward stroke, completing the cut faster. They’re better for woody than green growth.
Green, sappy branches are best cut with bypass loppers. With this design, both blades move together. That means that there’s no escape for bendier branches.
It’s a good idea to look for options with non-stick coatings on the blades too. That will keep them moving smoothly, even if they get coated in sticky sap.
If you need to cut thinner branches of more brittle wood, on the other hand, choose anvil loppers. With this design, the branch is squeezed between a stationary anvil and a mobile cutting blade. That means you won’t have to apply as much force to get a clean cut.
How far do you need to reach?
Next, make sure your chosen pruners will reach as far as you need them to. The maximum range can vary from under a metre to 7 metres.
If you need loppers that will extend a very long way, remember that the top sections will be narrower. That means they can bend if put under too much stress.
In most cases, there’s a compromise to be made between strength and weight. Lighter extension poles will be easier to use. But they’re also more likely to bend if you’re cutting through thicker branches.
How comfortable will they be to use?
Weight isn’t the only factor to consider when thinking about how comfortable it will be to use your pruners.
Check how easy it will be to adjust the length of the handles or extension pole. Will you be able to do it one handed? And will you be able to reduce the length gradually without risking the sections slamming onto your hand?
Models with rotating heads will make it much easier to get a grip on branches growing at a tricky angle. And speaking of grips, look at the handle too. Rubberized versions will be more comfortable to hold and won’t slip if your hands get wet.
Last but not least, if you’re looking at loppers consider models with compound action. These allow you to multiply the force applied to the branch by repeatedly opening and closing the handles. They’re a great way of getting lots of power without lots of effort.
Time to choose your tree pruners!
That brings us to the end of our guide to some of the best telescopic tree pruners out there. We hope it’s helped you narrow down your search!
Our favourite is . This economically priced pruner offers loads of versatility, with both an anvil lopper and a pruning saw. And with a reach of 234 centimetres, you’ll be able to get to high branches whilst staying firmly on the ground.
But whichever telescopic tree pruner is right for you, we’re sure it will make tidying your garden a breeze. Happy shopping!
