Five top machines to make pruning high trees safer

What’s that green stuff outside the back? Ok, don’t panic, it’s something called the lawn, only we haven’t seen it for a while.
It may be a few weeks yet before we need to think about cutting the lawn but now is the perfect time to prune trees and high hedges to promote vigorous growth once the temperatures buck up a bit.
So here are five pruners to save you dangling about on a tall ladder.

First is the Ryobi RPP-720 Electric Pole-Pruner, perfect for getting to grips with the higher branches.
The power comes from a 720 Watt motor; and this pruner extends right up to 270 mm.
It is made from glass fibre meaning it is exceptionally light in weight and 3.9 kg, less tiring so you can use it for longer periods.
To prolong its working life there is automatic chain oiling. The blade is set at 15 degrees for easier working and the machine comes with eight metres of cable.
With this pruner you also get completely free a harness, chain oil, spanner and cover.
It costs £115, is delivered free the next working day and has a two year manufacturer’s warranty.
Now here’s a petrol powered machine from a leading garden machinery manufacturer.
The Mitox 266-PP has a reach of 226 cm plus a 25 cm head with the chainsaw.
The engine is 25.4 cc and is of a professional standard with a full crankshaft.
This is a machine which can be used over long periods for major pruning work.
It still is light in weight at only 6.1 kg and has been designed to be comfortable to use.
The 0.7 litres fuel tank means you can use it for long periods without filling up.
This one costs £199 and is delivered free the next working day.
The Efco 2700PTX Professional Tree Pruner is a really strong machine aimed at those who need to use a pruner extensively and is designed for lopping branches and trimming twigs on all manner of trees.
This is a telescopic pruner which can extend to give a reach of 3.8 metres.
It is also adjustable through five positions from 0 to 90 degrees for any pruning task to give the most comfortable operating position.
The aluminium engine cover gives great strength and the pruner incorporates an automatic chain oiling system.
The engine has a 27 cc capacity and the guide bar is 10 in long. The total weight is 7.4 kg.
Delivery is free the next working day.
It costs £519 compared with the manufacturer’s recommended price of £641.67.
Another really powerful machine is the Husqvarna 327P5X Powered Pole-Pruner with a 35cm guide bar.
This one weighs in a 6.4 kg and is well balanced and easy to use with a loop design of handle.
It has a 24.5 cc engine which has low emissions and there is a special device to make starting easier.
There is also a heavy guard to protect the engine from impact damage.
The cutter bar has an automatic lubrication system where the flow rate of oil can be adjusted to suit the density of the wood being cut.
This one costs £629 compared with the maker’s recommended price of £730 and is delivered free.

And finally one from a manufacturer which produces equipment often the choice of the professional.
The Echo PPT265ES Power Pruner is really powerful and yet easy to use.
It has a telescopic shaft which goes up to 3.83 m when extended and has Efco’s 25.4 cc engine and a 3.5 cm chainsaw cutter.
It is designed to be easy to use with an excellent feel and the handgrip incorporates an ignition switch trigger throttle and throttle lock-out.
Automatic oiling is designed to lubricate the cutter bar right up to the tip.
It costs £499 compared with the manufacturer’s recommended price of £589.80