Harry Everhart wrote:
Remember you are cutting from the bottom. If you
don't watch out and plan the cut(s) you will pinch
the saw, then what will you do to get it unstuck?


No - I lay the saw on top of the the branch in the crotch (ouch :-)
The saw cuts well by gravity - the branch falls opening the smile :-)

I suppose it depends on the saw make/design. All
of the saws I have seen are just continue the same
direction as the pole. Cutting is thus more or
less vertical (you can not get the saw horizontal
above the branch). If you have a saw blade that
is perpendicular to the pole that would be great.