Review: Troy-Bilt Battery-Powered Cordless Pole Saw

Where I complain about the cost of tree trimming:
I just couldn't do it.  Pay nearly $500 for my semi-dwarf Georgia Bell Peach tree to be trimmed.  I'm sure It's worth it.  That the professionals know the proper limbs to cut back and the angle and position to cut them to stimulate more growth. To trim it so that it doesn't continue to grow into the house.  I planted it to close, I didn't know any better.  But for a lot of people, me included, spending that kind of money on a little scraggly peach tree I bought at Home Depot before I knew anything about gardening just can't be justified.  Christ!  It was never even supposed to bear fruit according to all the "gardening experts." I did get peaches last year but this year when they were able the size of walnuts something terrible happened and the leaves and peaches all dried up and fell off.  I holding out hope for peaches in 2012!

How I came to know that pole saws even existed:
As one of the Saturday 6 bloggers I visited the Troy-Bilt facility in Ohio back in April of this year. We went out to the big pavilion at the Troy Bilt lodge where there was a sea of gardening gadgets laid out for us to test.  It was like we'd all been good boys and girls and were waking up on Christmas morning to a delivery from a Gardener Santa.  I was struck by how many of us were drawn to the battery powered pole saw.  Personally, I never knew such a thing even existed or I'd have purchased it a long time ago!

My experience with the Troy-Bilt electric battery powered pole saw:
A pole saw is basically like a long stick with a mini chain saw on the end of it.  It can be used to trim the longer branches of small trees and I would imagine, shrubs you have a hard time reaching.  For example, the Hydrangea that I planted in the back of what has grown to be a lush wide perennial bed.  It's not particularly tall, it's just so damn far back that I have to walk over peonies and coneflower to get to it.

Consistent with my experience with other Troy-Bilt products, I found this easy to assemble.  The pole saw came in three pieces.  The end with the actual saw on it, the end that holds the battery, and the extension pole that goes between the other two pieces.  It took me less than 5 minutes to assemble. Each part connects by sliding one end into the next and hand tightening it.  No tools were needed.

At it's shortest the pole saw is 5 feet and with the extension pole it's 8 feet long.  One of the best things about this electric pole saw is that it uses the same battery as the Troy-Bilt electric string trimmer so if you already own one of those, you won't need to purchase the battery and charger.  Personally, I am glad to now have a backup battery and charger that I can use for both.

I found the pole saw easy to operate and very similar to operating the string trimmer in that you press a button on the battery end then squeeze the trigger to turn it on.  The position of the trigger makes it easy and comfortable to keep depressed while using the equipment.  I mention that because I know the first generation electric string trimmer had the button and trigger positioned in a way that made it awkward to hold but that has been fixed with the current generation of that string trimmer and it seems like Troy-Bilt considered that when designing this pole saw, too.

The hardest thing about using this piece of equipment was trimming the branches in a way that didn't cause the branches to be scratched up below the cut.  I have never used any type of chain saw so I have no idea if this is unique to this pole saw but I am pretty sure it was my own technical problem.  What I found is that for the longer branches I would start to cut them but because I didn't have enough control over the pole saw, the blade of the saw would hit the branch then bounce up and back down onto the branch scratching it up quite a bit.  Once I was able to figure out the best way to hold the pole saw, the best body stance and foot position to keep it stable, the cuts were pretty clean.  For a first time user, I would definitely recommend determining where you want to make your cut then cutting above it first to get a little practice.  I feel like this would also be less of an issue using the saw at the 5 foot length than it was at the 8 foot length considering it all seemed to be able pole control.  Still, it's something to consider because damage to the branches could leave them vulnerable to disease.

I am not a tree expert but I have heard that fall is a good time to trim them so now's a good time to think about doing that if you have a tree that needs it.  For my small garden, this pole saw will be a life saver.  It takes up virtually no space stored in the corner of my garage, is cordless with a rechargeable lithium battery (no gas! no oil! no emissions!) and it's easy to use.  All things I look for in tools for my small home garden.  I would certainly recommend spending the money to have a tree professionally trimmed if you are able to afford it.  But if that is not in your budget or you are a big DIY person like me, you may want to consider a small pole saw like this.

Later this week I will be giving away one of these Troy-Bilt pole saws here on my blog so be sure to check back.  The equipment will be shipped to the winner directly from the Troy-Bilt facility.

Disclosure: I was given this piece of equipment free of charge in exchange for an honest review of it here on my blog.

Wordless Wednesday: Peaches and Angelica

More Wordless Wednesday

Semi-Dwarf Belle of Georgia Peach: We've Got Peaches!

I planted my only fruit tree, a Belle of Georgia Peach, in the summer of 2007.  This was the year I first started gardening and I didn't know anything about what to plant or where to plant it.  I knew that my family liked peaches so buying a peach tree seemed like a wise thing to do.  Then I started learning more about gardening here in Chicago and was disappointed to read that peach trees aren't typically grown here.  Our cold hard winters are just too much for them.

My peach tree came from Home Depot.  It was around 4 feet tall and pretty scruffy looking when I bought it.  I planted it way too close to the house and after learning I'd probably never get peaches, I sort of forgot about it.  I've never pruned it, never fertilized it.

Yesterday, while watering my newly planted Japanese Maple I caught a glimpse of something attached to the branches of the tree.  I was so excited to see baby peaches that I nearly peed myself.  I called my husband over and we stood there for a good long while, marveling at the peaches and talking about all the things we'll do with them if they survive.  It was in my top 5 gardening moments.  In fact, I haven't stopped talking about it, yet.

Unfortunately, I also noticed this gross red lumpy stuff on the leaves and later learned it's Peach Leaf Curl, a fungus that commonly attacks peach trees.  It seems that by the time you spot it, nothing can be done to get rid of the fungus.  The tree will need to be treated around November, or whenever about 90% of the leaves have dropped, and possibly again in January.  I also thinned as much of the tree as I could reach so that there is only 1 peach every 6-8 inches. This allows the energy to be focused on fewer fruit, a necessity since this fungus really stresses the tree.

So, after 3 years I'm thrilled to report that we're officially on a peach watch at my house.

A Year In The Life Of Semi-Dwarf Bell Of Georgia Peach

Last year the week after I planted my first kitchen garden I bought this little homely peach tree from Home Depot. It's a Semi-Dwarf Bell of Georgia.

I complain all the time about being from the south but when it comes right down to it, I sorta miss some things about it. And even though I'm not from Georgia, I am well versed in the deliciousness of the Georgia Peach. So, when Mr. Wonderful said he'd like me to grow some peaches, I picked this variety hoping to plant a little of my southern heritage in my yard. Check out the "flower bed" in the picture below. Boy that brings back memories of sod and weed removal last year. I dug a hole and plopped it in and watered it when I remembered.
Here it is this morning. It's kinda wild looking and I suppose I should prune it some day but I don't know how to do that either. It's done really well in this spot but I'm worried that it's going to outgrow this space fast.
After I planted this tree, a guy I work with who lived on a farm with an actual orchard told me that I may as well dig this up and throw it in the trash because I'd never get a peach tree to bear fruit in Chicago. He says it's too cold. Well, that's OK too. I still think it's pretty.