I'm looking for some solid recommendations on wood chippers. I trim a couple of trees on my property regularly, and I've got a lot of branches that are too big to compost without a ton of effort. I've been giving the branches to my dogs, but they have enough sticks for now. I spend a fair amount on mulch every year, so I thought, why not just make my own? I'm open to any suggestions, thanks in advance!
2 Answers
Honestly, I suggest saving your money. Most chippers marketed for homeowners tend to be pretty flimsy and develop the same carburetor issues that tillers do. Trust me, I’ve used everything from small electric models to commercial Vermeer 1800s, and none of them really handle small sticks and limbs well. Instead of mulch, you’ll probably end up with just a bunch of shorter, sharp sticks. Good luck!
Bigger tends to be better, but those powerful gas chippers can get pricey. I’ve been using a smaller electric model that handles branches up to 1.5" in diameter, which covers about 95% of what falls from my trees and shrubs. It gets the job done for me!
What model do you have? I’ve heard gas is stronger, but I’m sticking to electric too. I'm worried I’ll mess something up and end up blowing it up, haha!