JM75

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I did consider the platforms but the costs are too prohibitive. I'm thinking to buy a polesaw (looked at the ryobi Rpp750s) to bring the polard height lower as has been suggested. Then see if it works OK with new branches next winter. If not I can go back to the ladder approach but with an easier height. I do already have a manual pole cutter too which is quite hard work to use and have to stand on highest step ladder level. But may be easier with lower overall height of tree too

Hello everyone Hoping someone can help advise me on the best solution to my problem. I have two sycamore trees and a cherry blossom tree. With all three, I have been pruning them back every year (pollarding) around november / December time when the leaves are falling and branches are woody (im in the UK). They grow quite fast. They are all around 4.5 metres tall. I have always had to pull out a ladder, climb up and cut the branches by hand with a pair of secateurs. The branches generally range in 1cm to 2.5cm. This year, I was hoping to find an easier way to prune them from the ground and thought a pole saw might be my best answer. I wanted to check if people think this is the best approach. It might be a stupid question but I also didn't know if cutting branches of thickness 1cm to 2.5cm is advised for a pole saw. Any advice you can offer is much appreciated. Thanks