Advice regarding tools is pretty straight-forward. Buy the best tools you can afford and keep them in good condition.

Recently, a number of new and innovative tools have come on the market that are extremely useful to a homeowner. 

	Rope Saws A new and safe way to cut high tree limbs - pull the ropes to prune while standing on the ground.
	Pole Pruner & Lopper A versatile pole pruner that can be attached to any standard-thread extension pole.  Includes 14-inch pruning saw blade and 1-inch lopper.
	Folding Pruner  A versatile, folding pruning saw that can be attached to any universal extension pole for long reach.  Lightweight and robust.
	Portable Buck Saws Extremely lightweight and collapsible. Perfect for the homeowner, gardener and camper.

After each tree you prune, remember to disinfect your pruning tools in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water followed by cleaning with soapy water and then drying. Tree diseases are easily spread by infected tools. Finally, if you're not skilled in the use of tools like chain saws or if the pruning job is more than you're capable of managing, hire an expert. Safety first.