A pole hedge trimmer which is balanced about a pole axis and which has a handle which can be operated with a single hand to orient the trimming blade at a desired trimming angle. A pole hedge trimmer having a trimmer assembly having a motor unit and a trimmer unit, in which the trimmer assembly is supported by a pole at a distance from a power unit and the motor unit and trimmer unit are generally in balance with one another about a pole axis. The pole hedge trimmer can have a position system for orienting a trimmer blade using an orientation handle configured for one-handed operation by an operator to position the trimmer blade. The pole hedge trimmer can be a low-profile hedge trimmer allowing for very close trimming to surfaces.
