On Saturday, June 8, 2013 6:49:26 PM UTC-4, micky wrote:
Is this job too big for a gas tree pruner?

For what it will cost you for a day's rent on the pruner, why not get it and give it a whirl?

Probably a good idea to rent a 10' ladder too. Standing 5' up a 6' ladder doesn't leave you much stability, and you will probably lose your balance and fall with the heavy pruner.

I have been able to easily cut off branches up to 8" in diameter using a cheap Poulan power pruner. A professional unit should do at least as well.