We rented a Stihl Model HT131 power pruner for the weekend, if you ever need to do some pruning, this is a must rent/have piece of equipment, it extends out to 13 feet from power head to end of the blade.
For $60.00 it came with the mixed gas and gear oil, the blade was B-new and it could cut 10" plus branches like a hot knife through butter. We borrowed a step ladder from the golf course and did some serious pruning to our old willow tree.
I own that exact saw and must say that it's the hardest working, most useful saw I have. The 4-stroke/2-stroke engine has gobs of power and that little 12" bar goes through everything. On a decent stepladder you can get 30' up.
Just don't get it pinched way up there and make sure the branches don't come sliding down the pole.