Chris Pitts, a field arborist with Lovering Tree Care based in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, and our reviewer this month, has been climbing, rigging and working with cranes for nine years. Pitts relates, “I’ve seen our industry evolve quickly in some areas – helmets, ropes, rigging gear – while other changes creep in slowly. One of the faster-changing areas is battery-powered equipment.”

Pitts enthusiastically took us up on the chance to evaluate one of the newest additions to the battery-powered tool lineup: the Echo DHS-3006 Handheld Pruning Saw. This product uses Echo’s 56V lithium-ion accessory battery that is compatible with many other Echo tools.

Pitts received the saw in late March. He was excited to give it a go, especially as lightweight pruning tools are increasingly finding a home in his company’s daily operations.

Some climbing and lift-operating arborists manage to use their top-handled chain saw for every cut they need to make. By contrast, Pitts describes himself as a diehard handsaw user.

Pitts’ enthusiasm took a slight hit on the first day out. With temperatures around 40–45° F and the battery at 50%, he tried to top off the charge on site using a standard charger, only to find it wouldn’t charge fast enough in the cold. He’s experienced similar issues with other battery-powered brands, but typically in temperatures closer to freezing. Getting frustrated, he quickly traded the battery saw for his trusty handsaw to get the job done.

A month later, with temperatures in the 50s and a precharged battery, he gave the Echo another shot – this time out of a bucket truck, crown-raising a red maple. The job called for quick, controlled pruning of four limbs between 1.5 and 4 inches thick. According to Pitts, “It was a classic ‘cut-and-chuck’ scenario, and here, the Echo saw was in its element. It felt great in the hand, handled well and made clean cuts with less effort than I expected. But after those four limbs and a few additional cuts, the battery was nearly dead.”

Pitts sums up the positives of his product-testing experience: “The saw’s strength lies in light-duty pruning work. It’s quick and convenient for suckers, ornamental trees or managing small-diameter growth.

“When it works, it works well. The handguard is a smart feature – it saved my knuckles more than once when limbs bounced back – and I appreciated the dedicated lanyard hook for safe, comfortable transport on the job. The oil reservoir is easy to access and fill, though it did leak a bit during storage, so that’s something to watch for.”

Another strong point was safety. According to Pitts, “The chain stops instantly when the trigger is released, unlike gas saws that tend to spin down slowly. It’s a subtle feature, but one that makes a difference when you’re working one-handed in a tight spot.”

Where Pitts says he thought the tool fell a little short was in consistency and versatility. The battery life limits it to short, specific jobs. And while it has a 6-inch cutting capacity, realistically, 2 to 3 inches is its comfort zone. Structural pruning is out of the question. The body is too bulky to maneuver into tight branch unions, and it lacked the “finesse” of a curved-blade handsaw.

At the end of the day, Pitts wasn’t ready to trade in his handsaw. He explains, “Replacement batteries are expensive, and for the cost of gearing up with enough of them to stay productive, I’d rather stick with more reliable tools. But I don’t think Echo missed the mark entirely. There’s real potential here if they address cold-weather charging and improve battery performance.

“If Echo can refine this model into a dependable, all-season pruner, I’d love to give it another shot.” Until then, in Pitts’ opinion, it’s a niche tool – great for very specific tasks, but not a replacement for his handsaw.

Chris Pitts is a climber and crane rigger with Lovering Tree Care in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

This review reflects the thoughts and opinions of the reviewers as users and does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the product referenced, nor is it an endorsement of any specific company, product or service. Every entity or individual should review and test all products for applicability, safety and efficacy in their particular operation.

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