Reaching for the sky

After 3 quarters of a century, you have to figure you have acquired the skills and knowledge to keep your house and yard in order. And by then they do need it. For example, those healthy young saplings you planted way back last century are now beginning to sport dead, broken and tangled branches. I thought I should climb into the tree with the Ryobi pruning saw and trim them out. Attempting to do this lead to a discussion with my wife about age differences. Apparently one of us was too old to climb into/fall out of trees, and the other was too young be a grieving widow. To Bunnings for a solution. I thought perhaps one of grieving widow. To Bunnings for a solution. I thought perhaps one of those clippers where the handles slide out for further reach. But then I saw ... MoreAfter 3 quarters of a century, you have to figure you have acquired the skills and knowledge to keep your house and yard in order. And by then they do need it. For example, those healthy young saplings you planted way back last century are now beginning to sport dead, broken and tangled branches. I thought I should climb into the tree with the Ryobi pruning saw and trim them out. Attempting to do this lead to a discussion with my wife about age differences. Apparently one of us was too old to climb into/fall out of trees, and the other was too young be a grieving widow. To Bunnings for a solution. I thought perhaps one of grieving widow. To Bunnings for a solution. I thought perhaps one of those clippers where the handles slide out for further reach. But then I saw it, just waiting for me to reach it and take it home: the telescopic tree lopper. This turned out to be the perfect solution. I also discovered that there is an accessory available for this lopper. It is not made by Ryobi, but you may have one on hand, as I did. This is the 15YOGS, commonly known as the 15-year-old grandson. Attach this to the tree lopper and it becomes effortless to use on your part. The 15YOGS is both gesture and voice activated. Simple point at a dead/broken/tangled branch and speak the command ("Hmmm, that looks very high. Are you sure you can reach it?") In a few seconds the nominated foliage will lay quivering at your feet. This lopper, although looking very long, is finely balanced. It is easy to precisely place the clipping end in the right spot. The feature I most appreciated is the trigger. This is very large, has a guard and is built as part of the pole. You don't have to fumble for it because your whole hand is wrapped around it and is unlikely to slip. While the trigger may be somewhere around your hip, your assured grip allows you to keep your eyes pointed upwards at the things likely to fall on you.