lorax

KJ's exactly right about determining where to cut.

I like a good sharp machete for cutting down bananas, but I've also used a hacksaw to good effect - just bear in mind that if you use a saw, it's only good for bananas in the future. If you use a machete or sharp knife, you need to sever the stems with one or two good whacks - using a knife like an axe both dulls the knife and harms the plant. You're looking for a clean cut. Oddly enough, before I had a good machete, I used to use a Ginsu chef's knife, and it worked wonderfully.