Need help handling tree debris after trimming or removal? You’ve come to the right place! At Go Tree Quotes, we give you the best local tree care experts to handle all your wood chipping needs.
Whether you’re dealing with fallen branches or just looking for mulch, our top-voted professionals guarantee excellent service and the best rates.
Founded in 2014, Go Tree Quotes makes finding reliable and affordable tree services easy. All our arborists are fully insured and vetted to give you the highest quality work every time.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about wood chipping services and how we can help you today!
Wood chipping is the process of reducing large pieces of wood like branches, trunks, and logs into smaller wood chips.
It’s done using a wood chipper machine, which makes quick work of even the toughest wood.
Wood chipping is an eco-friendly solution to handle tree debris, transforming it into useful products like mulch for landscaping or compost for gardening.
Using Wood Chips for Mulch
One of the most common uses for wood chips is as garden mulch. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, control weeds, and regulate soil temperature, making it a great tool for any garden. Additionally, wood chips provide a natural, neat look to garden beds and walkways.
Different types of trees produce different qualities of mulch:
- Hardwood chips (e.g., oak, maple) last longer and break down slowly, making them ideal for long-term use.
- Softwood chips (e.g., pine) decompose faster, which is better for short-term projects or areas needing quicker soil enrichment.
Aside from mulch, wood chips have a ton of other handy uses:
- Composting – Wood chips are great for compost as they add carbon to balance out the nitrogen-rich materials, speeding up the process.
- Fuel – In some places, wood chips are burned to generate heat or even electricity. A great way to make use of all that wood waste.
- Paper – Believe it or not, wood chips are used to make wood pulp, which is the main ingredient in paper.
- Animal Bedding – They make soft, absorbent bedding for animals, keeping their living areas dry and comfy.
Wood chipping is a brilliant way to turn what would have been waste into something really useful.
Pro Tip: If you want to keep the wood chips after a tree service, be sure to let your provider know. Some companies may plan to sell or dispose of the chips elsewhere. Organic wood chips from your local tree service are much better than the store-bought stuff. Some of those bagged mulches might have chemicals or dyes.
How Much Does Wood Chipping Cost?
The cost of wood chipping services depends on the amount of wood and branches, accessibility, and the specific tree service provider.
On average, wood chipping costs range from $182 to $1,353, with a typical rate around $396 for most jobs.
If you only have a small amount, you will probably need to pay a minimum call-out fee of $182, even if it’s only 15 minutes of work.
| Service | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| 50 cubic feet of branches | $110 | $209 |
| 100 cubic feet of branches | $220 | $462 |
| 20 ft Pine tree | $242 | $341 |
| 45 ft Pine tree | $418 | $572 |
| 20 ft Oaktree | $352 | $572 |
| 45 ft Oaktree | $572 | $803 |
Average wood chipping cost | $396 |
Here’s a breakdown of factors that can affect the cost of wood chipping:
- Size and type of tree
- Volume of branches
- Site access
- Distance to job site
Branch Chipping vs. Brush Chipping
While both services involve breaking down plant material into chips, there are key differences between branch and brush chipping:
| Branch Chipping | Brush Chipping |
|---|---|
| Larger, thicker tree limbs | Smaller branches, twigs, leaves |
| Woodier materials | Mix of wood and leafy materials |
| Often done after pruning trees | Used for yard clean-up |
| More demanding due to dense wood | Easier with lighter materials |
Both options can reduce waste and turn unwanted plant matter into something beneficial for your garden.
Benefits of Wood Chipping
Here’s why wood chipping is a smart choice for handling tree debris:
- Reduces waste – Recycle tree branches instead of sending them to the landfill.
- Creates mulch – Perfect for retaining moisture, reducing weeds, and improving soil health.
- Eco-friendly – Uses natural materials that enrich your garden and help with composting.
- Erosion control – Wood chips help prevent soil erosion on slopes or areas prone to washout.
- Animal bedding – Use wood chips to create soft, absorbent bedding for livestock or pets.
Bonus Benefit: Wood chipping can even help with fire prevention. In fire-prone areas, use hardwood chips (less flammable than softwood) and keep the mulch moist to reduce fire risk.
Renting a Wood Chipper vs Hiring a Wood Chipping Service
You might be considering whether to rent a wood chipper or hire a professional service. If you only have light debris to chip, renting might make sense. However, larger jobs, like chipping down entire trees or thick branches, are best handled by professionals.
Renting a wood chipper can cost around $299 or more for a single day, and you’ll also need to invest in safety gear (gloves, goggles, etc.) and maintain the machine.
Professional wood chipping services, on the other hand, take the hassle out of the job, ensuring it’s done safely and efficiently.
Go Tree Quotes: Wood Chipping Services
At Go Tree Quotes, we ensure your wood chipping job is done by qualified professionals. All our partners are certified arborists, experienced in safely handling large-scale tree work.
With public liability insurance of $10 million, we protect your property and give you peace of mind while we handle the heavy lifting.
Whether it’s a small yard clean-up or removing fallen trees, our team has the tools and expertise to get the job done right.