A device (10) for removing branches (100) from living trees (102) comprises a main frame for receiving and attaching the components of the device (10), mutually offset drive belts (74) which can be moved towards the bark of the tree (102), are pressed against the bark and move the device (10) upwards then downwards again on the tree (102), wherein the device comprises a cutting tool for removing branches (100) during the ascending motion of the device (10), and the cutting tool can be moved from a rest position to a working position in order to remove the branches (100). According to the invention, the cutting tool is formed by two opposite circular saws (46, 48) which can be moved in a circle around the tree (102) and have non-straight-set teeth (50, 52), the teeth (50, 52) of the two opposite circular saws (46, 48) which are cutting the branch (100) at any given time being always diametrically opposite and spaced apart from the tree (102) by the same, predetermined distance, whatever the diameter of the tre
