pole saw for cutting saplings????

njjeter · Dec 20, 2015

I have a lot of saplings too big to cut with a rough cut mower and on a hillside too steep for my tractor. I was hoping to somehow convert my Remington Electric pole saw so the chainsaw was parallel to the ground b installing a right angle head on the pole. Anyone have any experience doing this. Trying to save my back from constant bending down with a detached chainsaw.

bcp · Dec 20, 2015

I can't imagine a right angle working. You would have to hold the pole close and parallel to the trunk. 45 degrees would be closer to useful, I think.

But with any angle, you would have to apply the cutting force to the saw by twisting the handle, which would be awkward. I once saw forest thinning done with small saws having long bars. That left sharp, angled stumps.

A brush cutter with a saw blade is what I would try.

Bruce

njjeter · Dec 20, 2015

Thanks, I have tried the brush cutter but some of the saplings are 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Locust saplings seem to grow up behind me as I am cutting the ones in front. I would be tempted to poison them if the were not on the lake front and effectively on TVA property. Need to get them down before they get over the cut limit imposed by TVA.

bcp · Dec 20, 2015

Some videos cutting 3-4 inch trees:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twD5Fb6KP-w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkhyeGVXw-E

Bruce

njjeter · Dec 20, 2015

bcp said:
Some videos cutting 3-4 inch trees:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twD5Fb6KP-w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkhyeGVXw-E

Bruce

Thanks for the videos. I will give it another shot with a better blade for my brush cutter

bcp · Dec 20, 2015

Remember that a 2.5 inch cut can sever a 5 inch tree.

Bruce

smstonypoint · Dec 20, 2015

njjeter said:
Thanks, I have tried the brush cutter but some of the saplings are 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Locust saplings seem to grow up behind me as I am cutting the ones in front. I would be tempted to poison them if the were not on the lake front and effectively on TVA property. Need to get them down before they get over the cut limit imposed by TVA.

I second the brush cutter suggestion.

I don't know whether it would pass muster with the TVA, but treating the freshly cut stumps with 41% glyphosate will prevent sprouting. The label says that you can dilute the 41% glyphosate up to 50% (????? -- I'm hazy on this) with water or diesel fuel when using the cut stump method. I don't dilute the glyphosate as it doesn't take much for small stumps.

Steve