I gave this product 4 stars as it is a really good tool. It does the job of cutting with the saw along with the pruner/cutting bit. I will say that it is very difficult to get the pole up to the tree when using all of the poles provided (to get to the 26 feet). You will likely need two people to do so but I was able to manage myself so one person is possible.As for the drawbacks, the rope for pulling and making the cuts is too short for using all the poles (even most of the poles) that come with the product. Not a huge deal but it would be nice if it came ready to use as advertised. In addition, the bolts/screws come loose if you are using the saw for an extended amount of time so I HIGHLY recommend that you check the screws/bolts every now and then to make sure they are tight.Finally, is it possible to use this pole to cut tree branches at the 26 feet length? Yes! Just take your time and saw away. I was a bit amazed that cutting was possible at that length.