Funny. But this is an excellent example of why battery chainsaws make a lot of sense, in smaller sizes, for many people; especially if you share the battery platform with other equipment.
Tool batteries go to **** as well, and simply removing the batteries from a tool will not prevent this.
Maybe the current Lithium batteries are better in this regard, but would a Lithium battery still have full lifespan if charges after 12 years of storage ?
Would a cordless tool really have gone bad after 12 years of storage ?
The fuel from a chainsaw would likely be useless, or close to useless after sitting for 12 years, but how much effort is needed getting the saw back and working again.
The same goes for cordless tools.
What can go wrong, with you average cordless tool sitting in storage?
Maybe the grease in a gear housing separates a bit.
The main issue with cordless tools is how often the manufacturers modify the battery platforms.
Some manufacturers like Makita and Dewalt still support their older tools, but others like Milwaukee could easily be older and no longer supported.