I know you said chainsaw, but if you're just pruning... A Sawzall with a pruning blade works excellent for me. And so what if it winds up in the gravel - carbide teeth don't care much, and a new blade is all of like a buck fitty or so. Probably gives me about 9"-12" extra reach overhead as well. I have tested it's limits - about 8" live oak. Anything bigger, and I use internal combustion.
I agree
