Cutting back and pruning tree branches, clematis, wisteria and climbing roses can be a dangerous task if not armed with the right long reach pruner (or long handled secateurs if you prefer the phrase)
Long reach pruners and extending tree loppers are the hand tool of choice for tackling those hard to reach, thicker branches, stems & foliage.
Here I cover both types of extending tree lopper. The telescopic pruner (long handled secateurs) and the long reach extending pole type lopper. The search is over..
Updated for 2021 are two new long reach pruners. The Gardena StarCut 410 long reach pruner and the Wilkinson Sword 1111163W long reach pruner.
Spear & Jackson 80cm Long Reach Pruner
- Rotating body and cutting head
- Durable carbon steel bypass action blades for a clean cut on green stems up to 7.5 mm (5/16) thick
- Lightweight long handle design allows light pruning in awkward areas
- PTFE coated cutting blade for an easier, smooth cut
- Cut and hold mechanism for fruit/flowers
- Grow your own great British growing 2018 award winners
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Wilkinson Sword 1.6 metre Long Reach Pruner
- Lightweight aluminium 160cm handle
- High quality SK5 Japanese steel non stick coated blade
- All internal action using stainless steel wire
- 2 way cutting operation - shaft slider for ease of use, or end toggle for extra reach
- Wilkinson Sword provides a 10 year guarantee
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Fiskars SmartFit L86 Telescopic Long Reach Pruner
Reaching those tall shrub or low hanging tree branches is easy with the Fiskars L86 long reach pruner due to its extended reach of 90cm.
What I really love about these long reach loppers is the telescopic mechanism. It is a slide and lock system. I have never got along with telescopic pruners that you turn and twist the handle to lock.
- Telescopic lopper for Fresh Wood, For pruning twigs or tree branches, shrubs and hedges up to 5 cm in diameter, For right-and left-handed
- Firm grip thanks to non-slip coating on handles, Easy adjustment of shaft length, Long reach thanks to telescopic handle
- Clean and powerful cut: Non-stick coating on the blade for a smooth and clean cut, The lower cutting blade is curved for better holding of the branch being cut, Cutting diameter (5 cm) among the most important on the market
- Long life product, Stainless steel, Easy sharpening of the cutting blade, Diamond file sold separately in the maintenance kit (available under the reference number: 1001640), Finnish design
- Contents: 1x Fiskars SmartFit Lopper Bypass L86, Length: 66-90 cm, Weight: 1.3 kg, Material: Precision steel/Non-stick coating, Colour: Black/Orange, 1013564
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Pros
- 90cm Long reach
- Lightweight – 1.24Kg
- Rust free stainless steel
- Non stick blade coating
- Orange handle makes easy to find in low light
Cons
At this moment in time I can not find any thing negative about these loppers
Wilkinson Sword 1.6 m Ultra-light Telescopic Pruner
- Lightweight aluminium 160cm handle
- High quality SK5 Japanese steel non stick coated blade
- All internal action using stainless steel wire
- 2 way cutting operation - shaft slider for ease of use, or end toggle for extra reach
- Wilkinson Sword provides a 10 year guarantee
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Coming in at just under 1Kg this is the lightest long reach tree pruner we have come across. However it’s total length is 1.6m (+ user). If your not looking to prune anything over this height it’s a fabulous tool.
Pros
- 1.6m Long reach pruner
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Value for money
- 10 Year Warranty
Cons
- Saw blade not available for these pruners
Fiskars UPX82 Tree Lopper – Long Reach Pruner
1.6m telescopic long reach pruner for regular garden use. At just 780g, this extendable tree pruner makes light work of all those low hanging branches, climbing roses and taller hedges.
- PowerGear X pruning shears for fresh, young shoots, twigs and twigs up to Ø 3.2 cm in treetops and dense shrubs - without the help of a ladder - with a maximum total reach including users of 3.5 m
- Optimized cutting head for extra efficiency and longevity, Adjustable cutting head, up to 230 ° and fixable in any position for cutting high branches, Clean cuts thanks to non-stick coated upper blade and hardened inner blade, Orange cutting support on the lower blade for better support when cutting the branch
- Adjustable shaft thanks to telescopic handle that reaches branches at high altitude, Internal cable pull-system on the end handle for optimal power transmission and effortless cutting during long-term work, Optimized extendable handle with non-slip base and wear-resistant coating for a secure and soft grip and high durability
- Long service life thanks to robust steel blades and aluminium handle, Compatible with Fiskars multi-function cutting saw (1001561) and multi-function cutting fruit picker (1001562), Original spare parts available for sale, Finnish design, 25 years warranty
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Pros
- 1.6m Long reach pruner
- Lightweight
- Great looking
- Rust free components
- Replaceable Parts
- 36mm Cutting diameter
- Saw blade attachment available for these pruners
Cons
- Blade can jam shut
Wolf Garten RC-VM 4m Telescopic Tree Pruner – Lopper
The Wolf Garten multi-star RC-VM professional long reach tree lopper is a serious bit of kit. It is my preferred long reach telescopic lopper / pruner. I have had this model for years, it has never let me down.
- For branches up to 40mm diameter
- 4 metre telescopic handle
- 4 : 1 pulley system makes for easier cutting
- 35 year warranty
- Made in Germany
- Pruning saws and fruit pickers available to fit the telescopic pole
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
It has a whopping 40mm cutting diameter and goes through garden branches with ease. This package comes complete with the multi-change Vario extension pole (4 metre) which can be fitted with the Wolf Garten pruning saws and fruit pickers.
Pros
- Rust free aluminium shaft
- 4m long reach pruner with Vario telescopic pole
- 40mm cut
- Easy to service
Cons
- Can feel a bit heavy after prolonged use
Wolf Garten RC-M Long Reach Pruner Head
- Anvil Action for Precise Cuts
- Cuts up to 38mm in Diameter
- 4:1 Pulley System
- Effortless, Easy Pruning
- 10 Year Guarantee
- Attached to the 4 metre Vario telescopic pole
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This attachment offers all the great build quality and reliability of the professional version above. The only difference being it does not have an adjustment for positioning the cutting head at an angle.
You will need to buy a Wolf Garten Vario telescopic extension pole for this tool head to fit into, also available on Amazon, to turn the unit into a long reach pruner
This a well built tool for the price from Draper.
It is easy to control and manoeuvre. The additional pruning saw blade comes as standard and not as an additional item.
- Expert Quality
- Pole extending from 1.5M to 2.5M
- Detachable curved pruning saw blade
- Expert Quality
- Pole extending from 1.5M to 2.5M
- Detachable curved pruning saw blade
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This pruner tool will cut up to 30mm branches with the lopper blade, for anything larger there is the saw attachment. Also boasts a maximum 2.5m long reach.
Unlike the Fiskars and Wolf Garten pruner these pruners do not have an adjustable head to get to those vertically growing branches which can make pruning trees a little more tricky.
Fiskars UPX86 4 metre Extending Tree Lopper
Fiskars, a name we have all come to recognise as providers of quality, well made garden tools and pruners have not disappointed with this model.
The UPX86 long reach pruner has a whopping extra long reach of 4 metres fully extended, allowing for most tasks a home owner might need to do before calling out a tree surgeon. Add 4 metres to your own reach and it’s possible to reach 6m with these pruners.
- PowerGear X Telescopic pruning shears for fresh, young shoots, branches, and twigs up to Ø 3.2 cm in treetops and dense shrubs - without the help of a ladder - with a maximum total reach of 6 m when being used
- Optimized cutting head for extra efficiency and longevity, Adjustable cutting head, up to 230° and fixable in any position for cutting high branches, Clean cuts thanks to non-stick coated upper blade and hardened inner blade, Orange cutting support on the lower blade for better support when cutting the branch
- Adjustable shaft thanks to telescopic handle that reaches branches at high altitude, Internal cable pull-system on the end handle for optimal power transmission and effortless cutting during long-term work, Optimized extendable handle with non-slip base and wear-resistant coating for a secure and soft grip and high durability
- Long service life thanks to robust steel blades and aluminium handle, Compatible with Fiskars multi-function cutting saw (1001561) and multi-function cutting fruit picker (1001562), Original spare parts available for sale, Finnish design, 25 years warranty
- Contents: 1x Fiskars PowerGear X Telescopic Tree Pruner UPX86, Non-stick Coated, Steel Blade/Aluminium Handle, Length 2.4 - 4 m, Black/Orange, UPX86, 1023624
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The extending handle is made from aluminium making it lighter than other models to use. The blades are super strong and sharp and can easily cut through branches and growth up to 30mm in diameter. The angled head makes light work of cutting hard to get to branches and vertical growth.
This model is perfect for garden fruit tree work, pruning tall climbing roses, wisteria etc where a longer reach is required. Unlike other models the cord is located inside the handle so there is no getting tied up in metres of cord laying around your feet. Optional saw blade available.
Our best long reach pruner…
Wolf Garten multi-star RC-VM Professional Tree Lopper (closely followed by the Fiskars UPX86 long reach pruner)
If your budget allows it will give you years of cutting service without any hassle. Once you have purchased the Vario long reach telescopic handle you can interchange the anvil pruner cutting head with a Wolf-Garten saw blade attachment, amongst other attachments.
Branches up to approx 40mm diameter then a long reach pruner / telescopic lopper is fine. Anything larger then I would suggest a long reach saw. Both the Fiskars UPX86 and the Wolf Garten poles can also be fitted with a saw attachment for a bigger cut.
Our Advice
When cutting tree branches overhead with a telescopic pruner do not stand directly under the branches your cutting! I know this sounds a silly comment to point out but you will be surprised how complacent you get with overhead cutters. Safety first!
Wear safety googles. Could save you a trip to A & E for a scratched eyeball!
When cutting up the pruned branches use other tree pruning tools and not your secateurs, you will only damage them on thick material.
