• Home
  • about emily
  • before + after
  • HGTV + DIY Network
  • good press
  • contact
  • Let’s Organize These Posts:

    • Art Attack
    • Backyard
    • Barn
    • Basement
    • Bathroom
    • Beach
    • Bedrooms
    • Being Thrifty
    • Business-y
    • Buying and Renting and Selling
    • Casual Celebrations
    • Closets
    • Curb Appeal
    • Dainty Details
    • Deck
    • Decor
    • Dining Room
    • DIY
    • Dog-Related
    • Entryway
    • Flooring
    • For the Kids
    • Garage
    • Gardening
    • Helping The Economy
    • HGTV + DIY Network Projects
    • Holiday-Related Projects
    • Home Safety
    • Kitchen
    • Lighting
    • Living Room
    • Merry Travels
    • Office Space
    • Organized
    • Other Pads
    • Outdoor Living
    • Scooter Fun
    • Stairwell
    • Sunroom
    • Supporting Sponsors
    • The Art Room
    • Tools
    • Uncategorizable
    • Wedding
    • Windows
    • Work-pads
  • Search

  • Hi, I’m Emily

    Emily Fazio

    I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle.

    You can find me writing for HGTV and DIY Network, follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note if you'd like. I love notes.

    Thanks for visiting!

  • BROWSE POSTS BY CATEGORY:

    • Art Attack (7)
    • Backyard (92)
    • Barn (8)
    • Basement (27)
    • Bathroom (43)
    • Beach (13)
    • Bedrooms (73)
    • Being Thrifty (53)
    • Business-y (12)
    • Buying and Renting and Selling (23)
    • Casual Celebrations (36)
    • Closets (17)
    • Curb Appeal (44)
    • Dainty Details (8)
    • Deck (23)
    • Decor (286)
    • Dining Room (37)
    • DIY (577)
    • Dog-Related (24)
    • Entryway (59)
    • Flooring (58)
    • For the Kids (32)
    • Garage (17)
    • Gardening (70)
    • Helping The Economy (30)
    • HGTV + DIY Network Projects (283)
    • Holiday-Related Projects (80)
    • Home Safety (12)
    • Kitchen (83)
    • Lighting (31)
    • Living Room (77)
    • Merry Travels (21)
    • Office Space (21)
    • Organized (41)
    • Other Pads (14)
    • Outdoor Living (12)
    • Scooter Fun (8)
    • Stairwell (20)
    • Sunroom (22)
    • Supporting Sponsors (43)
    • The Art Room (3)
    • Tools (43)
    • Uncategorizable (1)
    • Wedding (28)
    • Windows (14)
    • Work-pads (10)
  • Search

  • Pages

    • blog
    • Good Press: Special Features, Freelance Projects, and Long-Term Clients
    • Privacy Policy
    • about emily
    • before + after
      • before + after – transforming my first home
      • before + after, our current home
    • contact me
    • choose a badge and share the merrypad.com love
  • Home
  • about emily
  • before + after
  • HGTV + DIY Network
  • good press
  • contact

Dances With Pole Saws

May 15, 2014

I’ve been making powerful progress on our yard (slash, having the time of my life) with the help of the handy chainsaw and our pole saws. That’s right, pole sawsss, one of the only tools that you probably don’t need two of… but here we are, with pole saw twinsies.

Ryobi Pole Saw for home improvement projects... I haven't tried it out myself but my husband likes it.

The Ryobi model above is only one of them; it’s an electric tool that needs a loooong extension cord that I haven’t actually put to the test, but happen to have a photo of, so there. Pete reported that it gets the job done. The one you’ll be seeing me use throughout the post is one from the Kobalt 40v line of cordless tools. Cordless = battery and I really love me a good, battery powered power tool for ease of use… for easy projects, you can’t beat a push button start. I’m not sponsored to be sayin’ that, you should know, my husband is the one who works with Kobalt.

Pruning trees using a pole saw, wearing a Baby Bjorn, so what.

See, we bought our first pole saw last summer because we (Pete) needed a way to conveniently trim low-hanging branches in our yard. Pruning branches is much like getting a fine manicure, totally zen and relaxing and filled with immediate satisfaction (not smooth fingies, though). Last summer, while big and preggo, I couldn’t safely get my hands on this new tool, but I said more than once that it was going to be my toy of choice for the summer of 2014. And here we are, back to my eager-to-work self, wielding amazing tools while the baby watches on from the jogging stroller parked in the shade. Teach ’em young, right?

Burning branches, baby happiness.

Before you wonder what the hell I’m wearing across my body in most of these photos, it’s a Baby Bjorn. Yes. I find myself wearing it, shall we say, a lot. And usually without the baby inside because, who cares, it dangles, and usually I forget that it’s on.

Anyways, the sheer bodily abilities required to maneuver a pole saw some 10+ feet over your own head, and then lower it carefully back down safely, all without not being impaled with trimmings and debris, is genuinely rewarding. The Bjorn might do something for back support or added protection or something, but the company probably wouldn’t endorse me pointing that out.

Clearing dead branches with the help of a battery-operated electric pole saw.

Cut to me, three days post my first pole-sawing weekend, as sore as I would be if I were one who latched onto the crossfit trend. You crossfit people are maniacs (in the nicest way possible), come help me with yard work sometime.

Come to think of it, pole sawing is like my crossfit. Except crossfit people probably don’t finish off their workout with a beer. And there’s probably some logistical guideline out there as to what defines crossfit–I haven’t looked into it–but I suspect it involves rolling around large tractor tires, or jumping on them maybe. If we had a tractor, tire moving might become my sport. I should just stop now, it’s Kit from DIY Diva that should be the one to define the real guidelines for backyard crossfit. She’s badass, and not that I know for sure, but I really don’t think she has a gym membership since she can get her fix by carrying two bales of hay at a time. Chime in as you wish, girl.

I digress. This was probably unsafely high, but I felt more unsafe balancing on a ladder.

Pruning trees using a pole saw, wearing a Baby Bjorn, so what.

Our “clear out all the brush to make room for a playset” project is going really well, and is still our biggest of all the springtime efforts. It’s going so well, in fact, that we’re at the point where we’re ready to buy lumber and actually begin construction. Daily, we’re amazed at the change in this back area of the yard. More room to live, more room to play.

Yard progress, Spring 2014

Share

Backyard  / DIY

Emily
I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle. I've been a freelancer writer for 10+ years and you can find my work on popular home and garden sites, like HGTV.com. Follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note.

7 Comments


Michele
May 15, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Reply

Aww, your little girl is a DOLL! So much cuteness!

Pole saws are fantastic. We have a large number of oaks, maples, and magnolias so have had to use the pole saw quite frequently. Now I can get the new growth off the trunks with the little hand-held pruning sheers, but the upper limbs will gradually get lower and lower to the ground as they grow in width and branches, so we end up having to drag out the saws again.

We had to rent a stump grinder after we cleared out about 6 feet of brush all the way down our west-side property line……whew, it IS a job. After we cleared everything off, we couldn’t get the lawn tractor in there to cut it (from all the little stumps and stobs), so had to invest in the stump grinder. Money well spent, I say.

You’re clearing at the ideal time — before all the leaves come out. Looks great!



    Emily
    May 19, 2014 at 9:02 am

    Thanks Michele :) Where’d you rent your stump grinder? That’s the kind of thing we would love to get our hands on. Great ambitions to hack down some larger bushes and a few dead trees this year, and it would be great not to have to hire out for the grinding… we did that for one stump last year and it was like, $60!

Kelly
May 19, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Reply

We bought the pole saw after seeing this post. My husband was astounded at how well it works! We’ve been having fun with it :)



    Emily
    May 19, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    Huzzah!! Enjoy your new toy!

Kelly
May 26, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Reply

We’re using the heck out of it! I’m so glad you posted about it :)

It really is true that the right tools for the job make everything SOOO much easier. I can’t believe we used to try and do this with an old manual one. Actually I should say the hubster had to do it, I didn’t have the arm strength to saw up in the air.



Adam
October 22, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Reply

the working is so cool with Ryobi . thanks Emily.



Emly
April 25, 2022 at 11:25 am
Reply

I am also a ryobi user. He can handle all my work. You are a very talented person.



Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • HI, I’m Emily

    Emily Fazio

    I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle. Follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note if you'd like. I love notes.

    Thanks for visiting!

  • Instagram

    merrypad

    Merrypad by Emily Fazio
    Instagram post 17902304861708711 Instagram post 17902304861708711
    Highly recco mining those #herkimerdiamonds ✌️ Highly recco mining those #herkimerdiamonds ✌️
    Pt. 2: Well before Halloween, the last of the garl Pt. 2: Well before Halloween, the last of the garlic went into the home garden: 10 rows [L>R] 6 whole Nootka Rose as an experiment, 3x8 Mennonite-grown cloves from Aman’s, and 6x8 (and, I think, total 112? notes are cryptic) “normal.”
#gardennotes #growinggarlic #garden2023 #whatisnormal #merrypadathome
    Out of sight but [documented so it’s] not out of Out of sight but [documented so it’s] not out of mind! #garden2024 kicks off with my favorite biennial: elephant garlic! 15 cloves planted from small, to medium, to enormous. #gardennotes
    Annual garlic notes for #garden2023, pt. 1: this i Annual garlic notes for #garden2023, pt. 1: this is getting ooc, and I love it. 👩‍🌾🧑‍🌾

🧄 65% of the planting is in a new plot in the country. 🧄 Seeing if NR grows bigger with more sunlight. 🧄 Big @chasefarms cloves from 2021 were really productive in our home garden; can’t wait to see how they can show up next year in the new space. 🧄

Hand-turned a small bed, but big thanks to my sister, who rolled into town just in time to help me double its size (and did not complain once).
    One straggler from #garlic2021 debuted with 7 stal One straggler from #garlic2021 debuted with 7 stalks and 7 scapes, and I can’t wait to see this mammoth looks like when it’s pulled next month. #garlic2022 

Also, fierce springtime performance by parsley, chamomile, and self-seeded cilantro.
    Annual garlic notes #garden2022 ~315 cloves total Annual garlic notes #garden2022
~315 cloves total
50 in new, unfenced garden
Still need thick mulch on everything
Did a terrible job tracking varieties when I harvested, so it’s all a mix of hardneck now 😒
Added some big cloves from @chasefarms and look forward to adding some @fruition_seeds in #garden2023 when @porterfarmscsa delivers.
    Load More... follow emily: @merrypad



  • Like Us On Facebook

    Facebook Pagelike Widget



  • Popular Posts

    • How to fix an IKEA drawer. The Easy Fix For Broken IKEA Drawers 66.9k views
    • DIY sideboard rehab. 7 Steps for Restoring an Old Midcentury Sideboard Buffet 56.8k views
    • How to design and make a barn quilt. How to Make Your Own Barn Quilt 50k views
    • How to hang art on brick surfaces using specialty clips. The Easy Way to Hang Art on Brick or Stone 40.1k views
    • DIY driveway removal. How to Remove an Old Asphalt Driveway 35.1k views
    • Our DIY flagstone patio. Building a Flagstone Patio in One Day 32.8k views
    • Tips for dying pasta different colors, and a Halloween Recipe for the kids. How to Dye Pasta Different Colors (Halloween Recipe) 32.5k views
    • Fix an ikea dresser drawer. Life Support For An IKEA Dresser 29.7k views
    • Goodbye, gold fireplace covering. Less Is More: How to Remove a Fireplace Surround 29.5k views
    • After: Custom wooden garden fence. Designing a Durable Wooden Fence For Our Beautiful Backyard Garden 23k views



  • BROWSE POSTS BY CATEGORY:

    • Art Attack (7)
    • Backyard (92)
    • Barn (8)
    • Basement (27)
    • Bathroom (43)
    • Beach (13)
    • Bedrooms (73)
    • Being Thrifty (53)
    • Business-y (12)
    • Buying and Renting and Selling (23)
    • Casual Celebrations (36)
    • Closets (17)
    • Curb Appeal (44)
    • Dainty Details (8)
    • Deck (23)
    • Decor (286)
    • Dining Room (37)
    • DIY (577)
    • Dog-Related (24)
    • Entryway (59)
    • Flooring (58)
    • For the Kids (32)
    • Garage (17)
    • Gardening (70)
    • Helping The Economy (30)
    • HGTV + DIY Network Projects (283)
    • Holiday-Related Projects (80)
    • Home Safety (12)
    • Kitchen (83)
    • Lighting (31)
    • Living Room (77)
    • Merry Travels (21)
    • Office Space (21)
    • Organized (41)
    • Other Pads (14)
    • Outdoor Living (12)
    • Scooter Fun (8)
    • Stairwell (20)
    • Sunroom (22)
    • Supporting Sponsors (43)
    • The Art Room (3)
    • Tools (43)
    • Uncategorizable (1)
    • Wedding (28)
    • Windows (14)
    • Work-pads (10)





  • a little bit of everything, friends, DIY, and inspiration

    • Dadand.com < My husband and his BFF
    • HGTV
  • Some Legal

    Merrypad incorporates the occasional affiliate link to Amazon.com and Minted; we link to many other websites and products, but if it is in context of a paid sponsorship, it is always noted as such. Please review the privacy policy and contact me if you have any additional questions.

    Theme customized by Pete Fazio Creative, the guy from dadand.com.


© Copyright Merrypad