Lightweight Cordless Pole Saw Under £200

The bar should be a little longer than the diameter of the wood you usually cut. Around 25 to 30cm suits pruning and small logs, 35 to 40cm covers most firewood work, and 45cm and above is for felling larger trees. An over-long bar is harder to control.

Cordless suits pruning and cutting up modest quantities of firewood, and starts instantly. Corded gives steady power for log piles near the house. Petrol offers the most power and full portability for felling and heavy firewood work, but needs fuel mixing and more maintenance.

Whenever it starts producing fine dust instead of coarse chips, or needs pushing into the cut. In practice that is often after every tank or two of fuel. Touching the ground with the chain will blunt it immediately.

At minimum, chainsaw trousers or chaps, steel-toed boots with chainsaw protection, gloves, eye protection and ear defenders. A helmet with a visor is strongly advised for any overhead work. Chainsaw injuries are usually to the left leg.

There is no legal requirement for a private individual working on their own property, but training is strongly recommended and is a legal requirement for work use. Anyone felling trees or working at height should be trained and certificated.