Works as advertised .. blade is sharp and firmly attached to pole. No plastic collar

I bought this ARS SC-EXW18 Telescoping Pole Saw to cut scotch broom... an invasive brush plant that grows large and thick if not cut down. It can grow to ten feet or more with thick, hard stems. It works excellently for that purpose. The saw extends from four to six feet easily, and makes horizontal cuts at the base of the plant. To extend the pole, pull out on the longer red lever and then push in on the shorter silver lever. [They put a label over the directions on the saw I received, so this tip might help.]

It also works well with small shade trees, and larger branches too. The teeth on the blade are small enough so that they cut rather than just pull the wood back and forth.

I would suggest for smaller plants that need a saw rather than pruners to use a folding silky handsaw, or a shark saw, and for taller trees, large branches, use a silky pole saw. I hope this helps someone.

Update: Oct. 29, 2016
For those who want to use this saw for removing scotch broom and have not done so, I have the following recommendations. For very small scotch broom plants, up to ½" in diameter, pull them out and burn them where possible, or just let them lay there. [Wear gloves] For larger plants, you can use the Corona BP 3225 Forged 2-Handed Bypass Pruning Shear, 3/4" Cut. [Sold on Amazon.] When the plants get too large then use the ARS SC-EXW18 Telescoping Pole Saw. The main point is to cut the plants flush to the ground. Then pile a little dirt, brush, etc. over the stump. Scotch Broom can generate chlorophyll from their stems, so flush to the ground and covering them keeps them from accessing any sunlight. If you leave the plants there, with no open ground, they are unlikely to start from any seeds they might have. We have cut them like this and one, two years later none have re-grown and the few little plants that start can just be pulled up.