Best Saw for Cutting Trees in 2026: Chainsaws and Pole Saws

For cutting trees, the 12-inch bar on this DeWalt handles trunks up to about 8" in diameter — you can fell a small ornamental tree, limb a larger one, or cut through storm-downed branches in the 4-8" range with no trouble. The 8.8-pound weight (9 lbs with battery) is the headline advantage for overhead limbing work, where a heavier saw causes fatigue within minutes. Up to 90 cuts per charge on 4x4 pressure-treated wood translates to roughly 45-60 minutes of intermittent tree work on a 5Ah battery. The brushless motor at 3.5 HP is well-matched to the 12" bar — you won't bog it on anything the bar can actually reach. Tool-free chain tensioning matters more in tree work than bench work: when you're limbing a tree and the chain loosens from sap-heavy cuts, you want to tighten it in seconds without setting the saw down to find a tool. The honest limitation for tree work specifically is bar length. A 12" bar means you're limited to trunks you can reach across in one pass (under 8" diameter) or trunks you can cut from two sides (under about 15-16"). If you're felling anything larger, this saw will struggle. For yard trees in the 6-10" diameter range, it's well-suited; for larger removal jobs, step up to a 16" bar. The bare-tool pricing also means adding battery cost if you're not already in the 20V ecosystem. Best for homeowners with small-to-medium yard trees who prioritize light weight for limbing and overhead work over raw cutting capacity.

A 16" bar handles trees up to 28" in diameter when you cut from opposite sides — which covers the vast majority of residential tree removal scenarios, including mature ornamentals, storm-damaged limbs on large trees, and firewood sections from fallen trunks. The 1.5kW brushless motor at 40V delivers the sustained power needed for cuts through dense hardwood without the motor slowing under load the way brushed motors do on similar-priced saws. For tree work specifically, the 4.0Ah battery's 12+ month charge retention is more practical than it sounds: you might charge this in October before storm season and not pick it up until a January ice storm drops a tree on your fence. Unlike phone batteries, this one will still run when you need it after months on the shelf. The 6,861 Amazon reviews at 4.4 stars provide real signal for tree work durability — this isn't a saw that holds up in light use but struggles on real wood. The 3-year tool and battery warranty also means if something goes wrong within three years of tree work use, you're covered. The trade-off for serious tree work is that this is still a homeowner-class saw. For professional arborist work or felling very large trees (24"+ diameter) in a single pass, you'd want a larger bar and a professional-grade gas saw. But for residential property management and storm cleanup, this is the most capable cordless option in this comparison. Best for homeowners managing medium-to-large yard trees who want cordless convenience with enough bar length and power for real felling and limbing tasks.

EGO rates this 56V saw as equivalent to a 40cc gas chainsaw — and the 20 m/s chain speed is the number that matters for tree work. Fast chain speed means each tooth takes a thinner chip on each pass, which reduces binding and heat in cuts through green wood (living trees or freshly felled logs). Most residential homeowner saws run 14-17 m/s; 20 m/s is a meaningful step up. For tree cutting after rain or morning dew — which is often when storm cleanup happens — the IPX4 weather resistance rating means the saw handles wet conditions without the motor or electronics being at risk. That's a practical advantage over saws without a weather rating. The 16" bar and 3/8" pitch chain with 0.043" gauge handle the same diameter trees as the Greenworks: up to 28" with two passes, or up to about 14" in a single pass. The tool-free chain tensioning dial is one of the more user-friendly implementations here — keeping chain tension correct is important in tree work because wood pinches the bar during limbing, loosening chain faster than shop cutting. At $197.88 for the bare tool, you need to add a 56V EGO battery to run it — budget an additional $80-130 for a 2.5Ah-5Ah battery. The total outlay approaches $280-330, which is higher than it looks on the tag. If you already own EGO 56V tools, this is a straightforward buy; if you're starting fresh, factor in the battery cost. Best for EGO 56V platform owners who want near-gas chainsaw performance for tree felling and storm cleanup.

For tree cutting purposes, be clear about what a 10" bar can and can't do: it handles saplings, branches, and small trees up to about 6" in diameter comfortably. If you need to take down a mature ornamental tree with a 10-12" trunk, you'll be making four or more passes and working harder than necessary. This is a saw for limbing, clearing brush, pruning large branches, and removing small volunteer trees — not for felling established yard trees. At 6.8 pounds, it's the lightest option here, which matters for overhead branch work where heavier saws cause arm fatigue quickly. The 20V MAX battery, lock-off trigger, and Oregon low-kickback chain make it approachable for homeowners who don't use chainsaws frequently. One important consideration: this model is listed as discontinued by the manufacturer. Replacement chains for the 10" bar are still available (Oregon and aftermarket options), but original BLACK+DECKER replacement parts may become harder to source. If you're buying primarily for tree work and expect to use it for 5+ years, the discontinued status is a real concern. At $149, the value case depends on your battery situation. If you already have 20V MAX batteries, it's a reasonable buy for light tree work. If you need to buy a battery and charger separately, the Greenworks at $209.99 with 16" bar, battery, and charger included makes more sense for the intended purpose. Best for homeowners with small trees and brush who need a lightweight saw for occasional light-duty cutting and already own 20V MAX batteries.

The 18" bar makes this the most capable saw in this comparison for actual tree felling — no other option here reaches 18 inches, and that extra bar length means you can fell a 15" trunk in a single pass rather than two. For bucking a large fallen tree into firewood sections, the 18" reach also lets you make clean crosscuts without repositioning as frequently. The 15-amp corded motor provides unlimited runtime, which matters for large tree jobs that take an hour or more. Battery saws need recharging at inconvenient times; this one runs as long as the extension cord reaches an outlet. The PowerSharp self-sharpening system earns its place specifically in tree work: sap and resin from living trees dull a chain faster than dry lumber does. Being able to touch up the chain in 3-5 seconds by pressing a button — without stopping to find a file or taking the bar off — lets you maintain sharp cutting throughout a long session. The 9,201 Amazon reviews at 4.4 stars validate this feature in real-world tree work. The limitation is cord management. For a tree in the back of your property, you're running 50-100 feet of extension cord, creating a trip hazard and requiring a 12-gauge outdoor cord rated for the 15-amp draw. Cordless saws are genuinely more practical for moving around a large yard. This saw works best when the tree is close to the house or when you're stationary for a sustained session. Best for homeowners felling or processing trees near a power source who want the longest bar and unlimited runtime for extended cutting sessions.