Best Saws for Cutting Trees: Every Type Explained Side by Side

Types of Saws for Cutting Trees Compared

Tree saws fall into four broad groups. Hand saws are quiet and cheap, battery tools balance power and convenience, compact tools reach tight spots and pro grade gas saws handle the biggest wood.

Hand Saws for Homeowners

Bow saws and pruning saws are inexpensive, quiet and need no fuel. The Bahco 30 inch Ergo Bow Saw is designed for green wood and handles limbs and small trunks well. Hand saws suit occasional pruning and small trees, but cutting large logs by hand is slow and tiring.

Cordless Battery Tools

Battery chainsaws start instantly, run quietly and need no gas mixing. The EGO CS1815 18 inch chainsaw lists power equivalent to a 50cc gas saw from a 2,500 watt brushless motor and up to 330 cuts on a 4x4 per 6.0Ah battery. The EGO PS1000 pole saw reaches up to 13 feet with its telescopic carbon fiber shaft. Battery tools suit most homeowners.

Compact Tools

Mini chainsaws and compact cordless saws are light and easy to handle for pruning and small limbs. The SEESII 12 inch cordless chainsaw uses a 1,200 watt brushless motor, auto oiling and tool free chain tension, with two 4.0Ah batteries included. Compact saws are not for felling large trees.

Pro Grade Gas Tools

Gas chainsaws offer the most power and unlimited runtime with spare fuel. The Husqvarna 440 has a 40cc, 2.4 HP X-Torq engine, an 18 inch bar, Smart Start and an inertia activated chain brake. Gas saws suit firewood cutting and larger trees but need fuel mixing, maintenance and hearing protection.

Hand Saws vs Battery Tools: Which Should You Choose?

Choose a hand saw if you prune a few branches a year, want silent work or need a backup that always works. Choose a battery saw if you cut limbs and small trees several times a season and want speed without gas engines. Many homeowners own both: a bow saw or pruning saw for quick jobs and a battery chainsaw for bigger cleanups.

Tree Saws Side by Side

Prices change often, so treat these figures as approximate.

Saw	Type	Best For	Approx Price
Bahco 30 Inch Ergo Bow Saw	Hand bow saw	Green limbs and small trunks	About $44
SEESII 12 Inch Cordless Chainsaw	Compact battery	Pruning and storm cleanup	About $89
Fiskars 2-in-1 Tree Pruner and Pole Saw	Manual pole saw	High branches to 12 ft reach	About $164
EGO PS1000 Pole Saw	Battery pole saw	High branches, up to 13 ft reach	About $299, tool only
Husqvarna 440	Gas chainsaw	Firewood and larger trees	About $400
EGO CS1815	Battery chainsaw	Larger branches and small trees	About $419 with battery

How to Choose the Right Saw for Cutting Trees

Start with the size of the wood you cut most and how high it is. Then consider noise, fuel and the batteries you already own.

Warranty and Brand Ecosystem

Battery tools are part of a platform. EGO's 56V ARC Lithium batteries power its chainsaws, pole saws, mowers and blowers, so one battery set covers many tools. EGO also lists a limited lifetime warranty on the PS1000's carbon fiber shaft. Check warranty terms and parts availability before buying.

Features That Matter for Cutting Trees

Bar length should be about 2 inches longer than the wood you cut most. Look for chain brakes, auto oiling and tool free chain tension on chainsaws, and locking extensions on pole saws. Fiskars lists a double locking system and chain drive gearing on its pole saw, which extends from 7.9 to 12 feet.

Corded vs Cordless (Battery Platform)

Corded electric chainsaws are light and cheap but tie you to an outlet and cord. Battery saws cut anywhere and start instantly. Gas saws suit long sessions far from power. For most yards, battery saws are the practical middle ground.

Control and Safety Features

Chain brakes, like the Husqvarna 440's inertia activated brake, reduce kickback risk. LED cut line indicators, like EGO's on the PS1000, help in shade. Balanced weight and good grips reduce fatigue. Always wear eye protection, gloves, hearing protection with gas saws and chainsaw chaps for heavier work.

Choosing Saws for Your Situation

Different jobs call for different tools.

Saws for Cutting Tree Branches

For branches overhead, a pole saw is safer than a ladder. Choose the manual Fiskars 2-in-1 for occasional pruning or the EGO PS1000 for frequent work. For branches within reach, a compact cordless chainsaw or pruning saw is quickest.

Saws for Firewood and Small Trees

For logs and trees up to about 14 inches, an 18 inch battery or gas chainsaw like the EGO CS1815 or Husqvarna 440 is the right size. Large trees near houses or power lines should be left to professional arborists.

Safe Cutting Basics

Even the best saws for cutting trees are only as safe as the person using them. Before any cut, check where the limb or tree will fall, clear an escape path at a 45 degree angle away from the fall line and keep people and pets well back. Look up for dead branches and power lines; anything near lines is a job for the utility or a professional.

When removing a heavy branch, use a three cut method: an undercut a foot or so out from the trunk, a top cut slightly farther out so the limb drops cleanly, then a final cut just outside the branch collar. This prevents bark tearing down the trunk and helps the tree heal. With chainsaws, cut with the lower edge of the bar where possible, grip the saw firmly with both hands, stand to the side of the chain path and never cut above shoulder height.

Wear the right gear every time: eye protection, gloves, sturdy boots and hearing protection, plus chainsaw chaps and a helmet with face shield for heavier work. Take breaks, because tired arms cause mistakes.

How to Make Your Saw Last Longer

Keep chains sharp; a dull chain makes dust instead of chips and strains the motor. Check chain tension before each use and keep bar oil topped up. Clean sap from bars and pole saw blades. Store gas saws with stabilized fuel or empty tanks, and store batteries indoors at moderate temperatures. Replace bow saw blades when they stop cutting straight.

FAQs

What features matter most in saws for cutting trees?

Matching cutting capacity to your wood, a chain brake and auto oiling on chainsaws, safe reach for high branches and a comfortable weight matter most.

Is a battery chainsaw strong enough for trees?

For pruning, storm cleanup and small trees, yes. EGO says its CS1815 matches a 50cc gas saw. For frequent heavy firewood cutting or large trees, gas saws still offer longer runtime.

What specs matter most for home projects?

Bar length, motor power or engine size, weight and battery capacity matter most. A 12 to 16 inch bar suits most yards; 18 inches handles larger wood.

Is a brushless motor worth it?

Yes, on battery saws. Brushless motors, used by EGO and SEESII, run cooler and get more cuts per charge.

Is a pole saw safer than a ladder and chainsaw?

Yes. A pole saw keeps you on the ground and away from falling limbs. Never use a chainsaw on a ladder.

How often should I sharpen a chainsaw chain?

Sharpen when the saw starts producing fine dust instead of chips, pulls to one side or needs pushing to cut. For regular users that is often after every few tanks of fuel or battery charges, and always after hitting dirt or stones.

The Bottom Line

The best saws for cutting trees match the wood size and height you face. The Bahco bow saw is a quiet low cost option, the SEESII 12 inch is a handy compact cordless saw, the Fiskars and EGO pole saws reach high branches safely, the EGO CS1815 brings gas level cutting to batteries and the Husqvarna 440 is the gas choice for firewood. For hand tools, see our guides to pruning loppers and folding saws.