A pneumatically powered pole saw, comprising: an extendable pole; a head member secured to the extendable pole; a cutting blade movably mounted to the head member; a piston linked to the cutting blade; a reciprocating valve disposed in the head member configured to release compressed gas into the piston chamber on one side of the piston when the reciprocating valve is in a first position causing the cutting blade to move in a first cutting direction, when the cutting blade reaches the limit of travel in the first direction, the reciprocating valve releases compressed gas into the piston chamber on another side of the piston causing the cutting blade to move in a second cutting direction.