Fiskars UP 86 telescopic universal tree pruner and loppers

To perform lofty clipping duties without grabbing a ladder, you’ll want to invest in a pole pruner. This one affords a range of around 3.5m, extending to a maximum of 6m and is equipped with a rotatable cutting head for angled snipping – ideal for tackling difficult to access tree crowns. It can be tricky zoning in on your target at the upper limits of the poles reach, but we found that a four to five metre extension provided the best balance between reach and dexterity. Once you’ve positioned the cutting head (aided by a handy orange locator), a swift yank on the handle is all it takes to perform the cut. It’s not the kind of tool to use for extensive pruning duties, but for dealing with rogue branches that demand attention, it’s invaluable.