And, even when you don’t, the additional power can make things easier.

Idalia text message updates:Sign up to receive updates on Hurricane Idalia and its aftermath from journalists across the USA TODAY network After every Florida storm, such as the just-passed Hurricane ...

A smarter option is to use a pole saw. These tree- and shrub-trimming machines, which are essentially a chainsaw at the end of a 5- to 10-foot pole, allow you to cut off limbs up to 15 feet off the ...