What Can You Put in a Wood Chipper? Branches, Hedge Cuttings and Garden Waste

Wood chippers are designed to reduce woody material such as branches and pruning waste. However, the exact machine determines what it can handle. Loose leaves, grass clippings and soft garden waste are a different job and should not be treated as automatically suitable.

At Beckside Machinery, we start with what you need to clear. Whether you choose petrol or tractor power comes after understanding the material, its size and how much work you have.

Branches and Woody Hedge Cuttings

Branches and woody stems from tree, shrub and hedge maintenance are typical chipping material, within the machine’s specified limits.

However, “hedge cuttings” can describe very different loads. Substantial stems removed when reducing a hedge are not the same as a pile of fine clippings from regular trimming.

The balance matters. If most of your waste is woody, a chipper is worth considering. If it is mostly soft foliage with only a few sticks, we would look more closely at whether you need a different type of machine.

Can You Put Leaves in a Wood Chipper?

Do not assume that a wood chipper is suitable for bags of loose leaves simply because it processes branches.

A leafy branch and a pile of leaves present different material to the cutting system. Some machines are designed for mixed woody and green waste, while others are primarily chippers. Acceptance of foliage must be checked for the particular model.

The same applies to wet clippings and stringy or fibrous growth. Tell us if these make up a large part of your workload so we can check the relevant guidance before recommending a machine.

Wood Chipper vs Shredder: What Is the Difference?

A wood chipper cuts woody material into chips. A garden shredder may use a different cutting or crushing system, and its suitability for soft waste varies by design.

A chipper-shredder combines capabilities, sometimes using separate cutting arrangements. However, the label “wood chipper shredder” is not a promise that it accepts every type of garden waste.

Look for a clear description of the materials the machine is intended to process. A larger engine, wider hopper or powered feed system does not, by itself, turn a branch chipper into a leaf or compost shredder.

Why Maximum Branch Diameter Is Only Part of the Answer

Maximum branch diameter is an important limit, but it does not describe the whole workload.

A straight branch and a heavily forked branch can have the same stem thickness while presenting very different shapes. Wood type and condition matter too, so tell us whether you mainly have fresh prunings, older dry branches or a mixture.

Then consider volume and frequency. Clearing a modest pile after occasional pruning is different from processing branches regularly throughout the week, even if the branch sizes are similar.

We would not choose solely around the largest branch you might encounter, or treat maximum diameter as a promise of continuous output at that size. We would consider your typical material, regular workload and occasional heavier jobs together.

Petrol or PTO: Match the Power Source to Your Work

A petrol wood chipper has its own engine, so it does not require a tractor. The Mateng CG100 is an example from our range.

A PTO wood chipper, such as the FarmMaster WCP100, uses the tractor’s power take-off to drive the cutting mechanism. It needs a compatible tractor, with the appropriate PTO output, speed, linkage and carrying capacity.

Either approach can suit woody clearance work. The power source alone does not establish which materials a particular chipper accepts.

Choosing the Right Wood Chipper

Before buying, consider the whole pile you need to clear, not just its thickest branch. Photographs can help us understand the mix of stems, foliage and awkward shapes.

Keep metal, wire, stones and other foreign objects out of the material. Follow the machine’s instructions and make sure operators have suitable training and protective equipment.

To discuss our petrol and tractor-powered wood chippers, contact Beckside Machinery or call 01673 828965. Tell us what you need to chip, the usual branch size and how often you will use it. If you have a tractor, include its model so our team can check compatibility.