Chainsaw Vs. Handsaw?

In reply to your dad; Polesaws have their place and are extremely useful. They are not, however for everybody and/or anybody. I've seen horrible pruning cuts made by those less experienced and I have seen perfect cuts by qualified climbers. There is also no reason why scabbords cannot be used to cover saw when climbing.
As far as handsaw v. chainsaw, careful of carpal tunnel due to heavy repetative motion using handsaws.
 
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....Husqvarna!

50 to 1 on the husqy! its got a roll cage... /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

what ya think?

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HA! Don't even bother, Cus Silky is King! --Others don't even come close! --Unless you'd like to try to prove it in a competition!-haha.
Yeah, let's compete!
 
I would worry about injuries trying to push a hand pruning saw as hard as possible in a comp.

I can see broken blades and hand injuries.

Neat idea though.
 
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As far as handsaw v. chainsaw, careful of carpal tunnel due to heavy repetative motion using handsaws.

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Interesting. Now we've seen warnings about CTS using chainsaws and handsaws. My worst days (no diagnosed CTS, but sometimes my forearms get sore) are after a lot of clipping with the Fanno hand pruners (secateurs).

k
 
It is quite clear that handling a pole saw requires a lot of skill. Sometimes, it seems to me that a pole saw is being used as a 'lazy persons tool'. I have now made it compulsary in my office that all climbers keep the scabbards on the pole saw at all times and remove it only for the time that it is being used. This means that, when descending or moving around the polesaw, it is always covered (something, by the way, that is common when using handsaws. Handsaws, are always put away in the scabbard when not in use).
We are also thinking that new climbers, who are not proficient climbers yet, will not be allowed to use a polesaw, till such time that they have progressed and become proficient climbers.
Since I made that 'at all times cover up' compulsary, some voices suggested that if I was going to make it so hard to work with the pole saw, it may be easier to CLIMB to the point of pruning and remove the branch with the pruning saw........ That seems to me an indication that I have to put more investment and time in improvement of climbing techniques.
 
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Since I made that 'at all times cover up' compulsary, some voices suggested that if I was going to make it so hard to work with the pole saw, it may be easier to CLIMB to the point of pruning and remove the branch with the pruning saw........ That seems to me an indication that I have to put more investment and time in improvement of climbing techniques.

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That's a bold move. It does make sense though.

Many of us stopped using polesaws and became much better, and much faster, climbers. The learning curve is a bit long and production does suffer during the learning. But once a person learns how to go out to the ends of the limbs working anywhere in a tree is a breeze.

Learning all of the tricks and techniques to get into the outer third of the crown and work productively is a challenge. It takes dedication on the part of the climber to push themselves. Also. they would learn quicker working with a "master" in an apprenticeship type program. I would love to see the profession go back to using the model of the Guilds. this isn't likely I understand but the master/apprentice relationship works very well. In my career I've had the good fortune to work with a couple of Masters and they pushed and pulled me to be a better arbo.
 
Suggesting a person who takes a pole saw into a tree can't get to the tips is prejudice. It's a little like suggesting the color of their truck affects their climbing and pruning ability.

I don't often take a pole saw into the tree but on wide crowns I sometimes find it handy for rope placement into other leaders for moving around in the crown. Rope placement is an important part of getting to the tips and a pole saw is a great tool for rope placement. The fact that there is a saw blade on the pole saw should not be a reason to condemn it as a useful arborist tool or to suggest it's major use is pruning because the climber lacks ability.

I do agree though that a climber that relies on a pole saw as a crutch because they can't get to the tips can turn the pole saw into a handicap that impedes climbing ability improvement.

Dan
 
I second Treeco's advice.
In other words, Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
The polesaw is or should be a very crucial tool in the arbo's arsenal, so don't completely limit it or be gunshy to use it, but of course keep its use controlled by good safety standards(sheath covered when not cutting) and approved perhaps by a supervisor for the not so experienced climbers especially at the outer reaches of the canopy, because at least this will keep the production moving forward rather than having to switch climbers just to get to the outer reaches. Or perhaps put a master climber in the tree to help the inexperienced learn to move out to the tips, as Tom suggested, all the while having to put up with a slower production.
My two cents.
 
I feel very honored that part of my observations and implementations have been put into a 'quote'.
You all raise very interesting points.
I do think that a polesaw has its place when it comes to pruning a tree, but I also do think that if 'oncoming climbers' are immediately put to work in the tree with a polesaw, this very tool can become a hindrance in the development of climbing techniques.
The notion of Tom that apprenticeship systems are being put back in place I applaud. It is the best system of all to master (tree)working techniques.
 
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