Best Size Orchard Ladder?

[Dwight Gibb]

I would like advise on whether to buy an eight or ten foot orchard ladder.

I prune Japanese maples, most of which are less than twenty feet high. To date I have used an eight foot step ladder, but would like to switch to an orchard ladder.

Eight foot looks handy and I could reach most of what I do, but with ten feet I could get to more of the bushy places which collect snow and cause winter breakage.

I am getting older, and so safety is my first priority.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Dwight Gibb

[hubops]

Go big or go home.

John T.

[Wade Garrett]

Older/Safety Priority/Stay the Hell Off Ladders!

[Dean Hoffman]

Would renting a towable man lift be an option?

[Clare Snyder]

The only advantage to a small ladder is it is easier to move. Over-reaching from a short ladder is dangerous. If a 12 footer doesn't make it impossible to get the ladder into place a 12 wpuld be even better - and you still have the 8 foot stepladder for those applications.