Abstract: A telescoping pole assembly is disclosed featuring an eccentric collar and collet which is used to frictionally lock an inner pole which slides within an outer pole. The locking mechanism of the present invention is especially suitable for fiberglass and plastic poles which tend to slip or fracture upon concentric loading as is used in the locking mechanisms of the prior art. The eccentric collet and collar cooperate to form a pathway for the inner sliding pole when the collet is aligned in the open position, and the collet and the outer pole trap the inner pole due to the eccentricities of the collet and the annular collar, which causes a misalignment of the pathway when the collet is rotated into a locked position. The telescoping pole assembly of the present invention is especially suited for tree trimming equipment because the locking assembly does not inadvertently unlock when a torque is applied to the poles, as might be the case when a user attempts to cut a tree branch by twisting the cutting blade.