Wood chipper vs Mulcher: Choosing the right tool for your garden waste

In this guide we discuss the differences between these two machines and discuss what is best for your property

Managing land waste and yard debris efficiently requires the right equipment, and two popular tools for this task are wood chippers and garden mulchers, also called 'shredders'

While both machines process organic material, they have distinct characteristics and uses.

This comprehensive guide explores the key differences between wood chippers and mulchers/shredders, helping you determine which best suits your specific needs. Whether you're a homeowner tackling weekend yard work or looking to manage larger properties, understanding these machines' capabilities will ensure you choose the most efficient solution for your garden waste challenges.

Why is it important to be able chip or mulch tree debris on your own?

Many rural landowners choose to live in remote, forested areas, or maintain farmland, because they enjoy the freedoms of living off the land. Whether it's growing your own food or enjoying the quiet beauty of nature, there are ample benefits to living in the country.

Part of that is making the most of the resources of your land and being able to adequately maintain it. Overgrowth can make trail management frustrating, and many landowners end up with piles of tree prunings, branches and other tree debris with no way to get rid of it.

That's why it's important to have equipment on hand that let's you maximize the use of your land, so overgrowth doesn't get in the way, so your brush piles don't overflow and so you can have a steady supply of mulch to keep your garden growing.

Woodland Mills product owners constantly say in their reviews and testimonials that owning their own equipment for chipping and creating mulch gives them the freedom to make the most of their land, so consider that when making your own purchasing decisions.

Wood chippers explained: Function and capabilities

A wood chipper is a robust forestry product designed for reducing wood from tree limbs, branches, and small tree trunks into manageable wood chips. They process larger branches and tree waste efficiently, using sharp blades to create uniform chips for various purposes.

A typical non-industrial wood chipper:

• • Handles larger branches and tree limbs, often up to 8” (20 cm) in diameter

  • Produces wood chips for mulch, compost, or biofuel

  • Operates at high speeds for quick processing of large wood waste volumes

  • Offers more power than mulchers, with PTO-driven options

  • Efficiently reduces bulky wood waste from pruning, storm damage, or land clearing

For example, the Woodland Mills WC68 6" PTO Wood Chipper can chip branches up to 6" and offers power and versatility for efficiently reducing wood.

What is a mulcher? Features and functions explained

Mulchers/shredders process a variety of green waste into fine, uniform material. They excel at handling smaller garden waste like leaves, twigs, and small branches.

A typical garden mulcher:

• • Processes green material, including leaves, small branches, and garden trimmings

  • Produces fine, consistent mulch for immediate garden use

  • Offers compact design for easy maneuverability

  • Operates more quietly than chippers

  • Provides adjustable output sizes in some models

Mulchers are useful for regular yard maintenance, creating compost, and processing lighter, leafy green waste.

Wood chipper vs mulcher: Six key differences

Design differences: Chippers vs mulchers/shredders

While both machines are designed to process material from your garden, wood chippers and mulchers have clear visual differences. Chippers typically feature a larger, more robust frame with a prominent infeed chute and discharge chute. Mulchers and shredders, on the other hand, often have a more compact design with a wider, shallower hopper for feeding in lighter materials.

Input variety: What each machine can process

Wood chippers excel at handling larger branches and even small tree trunks, efficiently reducing them to wood chips. They're ideal for processing substantial wood waste. Mulchers are better suited for shredding organic material like leaves, twigs, and small branches. They can effectively handle green waste and create finer mulch suitable for garden beds.

Engine strength and capacity differences

In general, chippers pack more power to handle larger, tougher pieces of wood. They often feature more robust engines or PTO-driven systems for use with tractors. More compact gas-powered chippers, like the Woodland Mills TFG55 GAS Wood Chipper, offer a balance of power and portability for residential and smaller acreage use. Mulchers/shredders, designed for lighter materials, usually have less powerful motors, making them more suitable for processing softer garden waste.

Output comparison: Chip size and texture

Wood chippers produce larger, more uniform wood chips, typically ranging from ½”to 2” (1.3 cm to 5 cm) in size. These chips are excellent for pathways, mulching around trees, or as a base layer in garden beds. Mulchers/shredders, on the other hand, create much finer material, often resembling coarse sawdust. This fine material is ideal for flower beds, vegetable gardens, or adding to compost piles.

Cost considerations: Chippers and mulchers

Generally, wood chippers tend to be more expensive than mulchers due to their larger size, more powerful engines, and ability to handle tougher materials. Small chippers for residential use may be comparable in price to high-end mulchers, but commercial-grade chippers can be significantly more expensive. Mulchers, being typically smaller and less powerful, are often more affordable for the average homeowner.

Usage scenarios: Home and professional use

While there's some overlap, chippers are more commonly used in commercial settings like tree services, landscaping companies, and forestry operations. Their ability to handle larger materials makes them essential for big jobs. Mulchers, with their focus on lighter garden waste, are more frequently found in domestic settings, helping homeowners manage leaves, small branches, and other common yard debris.

Common ground: Similarities between mulchers/shredders and chippers

Despite their differences, wood chippers and mulchers have several things in common in terms of how they're used and operated:

Power source options: Both come in electric, and gas-powered, and wood chippers also come with PTO-powered models.

Material limitations: Users should avoid feeding these into either chippers or mulchers:

• • Palm fronds and palm branches

  • Vines

  • Bamboo

  • Non-organic materials

  • Manure or other animal waste

  • Tree trunks (for most models)

Selecting the right tool: Wood chipper vs mulcher

The choice between a wood chipper and a mulcher depends on several factors based on your specific needs and circumstances:

• • Type of yard waste: If you frequently deal with larger branches, tree limbs, or substantial woody material, a wood chipper will be more suitable. For leaves, small twigs, and softer garden waste, a mulcher would be the better choice.

  • Property size: Larger properties with more trees will benefit from a wood chipper's ability to handle bigger volumes and larger materials. Smaller yards or gardens might find a mulcher more appropriate for their needs.

  • Intended use of processed material: If you need larger wood chips for pathways or deep mulching, a chipper is ideal. For finer mulch used in garden beds or composting, a mulcher will be more appropriate.

  • Frequency of use: For occasional use, a mulcher might suffice. For regular, heavy-duty work, especially in professional settings, a wood chipper will be more efficient.

  • Storage space: Consider the available storage space. Mulchers are generally more compact and easier to store in smaller spaces.

  • Budget: Wood chippers, especially larger models, tend to be more expensive. If budget is a constraint, a mulcher may be more accessible.

  • Power source: Consider whether you prefer a gas-powered model or have a tractor available for a PTO-driven chipper.

Ultimately, your choice should align with the type and volume of waste you typically handle, as well as your specific landscaping goals.

How to use a wood chipper with wet, green branches

On a single flywheel wood chipper, wet, green branches can cause jamming that might require you to open up the flywheel housing and unjam them. Best practice for these models is to mix in heavy, dry materials to improve the flow in the chip stream, which reduces the chances of clogging.

On a typical single-flywheel wood chipper, the same flywheel performs both the chipping and throwing functions. Because the discharge paddles rotate at the same speed as the chipping flywheel, the amount of airflow the system can generate is limited by the speed required for chipping.

Woodland Mills PRO Series Twin Flywheel chippers separate these two functions. The primary flywheel is dedicated to chipping the material, while a second, faster-spinning flywheel is dedicated to generating airflow and discharging the chips. This allows the discharge flywheel to operate at a higher speed without changing the speed of the chipping flywheel.

The result is increased airflow through the chipper, helping carry lightweight, wet, leafy and coniferous material through the chip stream and throw chips farther from the discharge chute.

Upfront equipment costs

Some landowners look at the upfront cost of investing in new equipment and ask whether it's cheaper to rent or hire contract workers to help.

It's a wise budgeting decision to look at these costs and examine why new equipment like a wood chipper makes sense for your property. It allows you the ability to perform property maintenance tasks seasonally or year-round, without needing to wait for contractors to arrive. Rental costs also add up over time, and many landowners find it's cheaper to purchase and operate the equipment themselves than it is to continuously rent.

Examine the needs of your property, how often you require a tool or piece of equipment, and if it's more than a couple times a year, it's often worth investing in it. Maintenance costs are also fairly minimal, replacing belts or greasing bearings when needed. PTO wood chippers especially utilize your tractor's engine, meaning you only have to maintain one power source.

Consider these factors when budgeting for new equipment each season.

What are the benefits of having my own equipment over renting or contracting?

Renting or hiring contractors often leaves landowners holding the bag, repeatedly paying fees that seem small at first, but rapidly grow and put pressure on your budget.

While owning your own equipment, such as a wood chipper or stump grinder, comes with it's own upfront and operational costs (fuel, maintenance, etc) oftentimes landowners find it beneficial to have those tools on hand to do tasks themselves. Not only does this lead to lower costs over time, but it allows you to do tasks as they pop up, rather than waiting for a rental service or contractor to be ready.

Consider these costs when budgeting for equipment, but there's a reason why most rural landowners keep their own arsenal of equipment that includes ways to reduce and eliminate tree waste, such as wood chippers and stump grinders.

Is a wood chipper a necessary property maintenance tool?

If you plan on doing any type of forest management, whether it's with a small tree stand on your homestead or regular work in a vast woodlot or private forest, a wood chipper is an essential tool you won't want to ignore.

A wood chipper like the TF810 PRO allows landowners the ability to convert wood waste from fallen trees, storm debris and other yard waste into a useful supply of wood chips, either to feed back to the forest floor for nutrients or to use around your property for landscaping or gardening purposes.

Wood chippers are right at home on rural landowners properties alongside back hoes, tractors and other heavy duty equipment that sees daily use.

The benefits of a stump grinder for land clearing

If you're considering equipment for creating wood chips or mulch for your property, you may also want to think about how a stump grinder can complement your setup.

Woodland Mills offers PTO-driven stump grinder models like the WG28 PRO, that not only removes stumps but also digs underground to eliminate troublesome roots. A combination of a wood chipper and stump grinder is incredibly useful for landowners who want to harvest trees from their property, or who want to reduce tripping hazards or do land clearing to prepare a space for future use.

Hiring landscapers can be incredibly expensive, and many tree services don't offer a way to get rid of tree stumps. Instead plenty of rural landowners own stump grinders so they have the ability to remove stumps on their land. And when you're done cleaning up your own stumps, oftentimes jealous neighbors ask for help removing their own stumps, so there's an opportunity to make some money and recoup your investment.

Can I clear land and maintain my forested acreage on my own?

While land management tasks like land clearing, tree harvesting and forest maintenance may seem daunting, having the skills, abilities and equipment to tackle them yourself is incredibly empowering.

From tree pruning, to log harvesting, to producing your own lumber with a portable sawmill, reducing your tree debris with a wood chipper, hauling wood chips and other debris throughout your land or eliminating pesky stumps with a stump grinder, there are plenty of tools and resources that let landowners be the decision makers, deciding the future of their properties.

Being able to manage your land, sustainably and independently, is a huge reason why many landowners opt to do these jobs on their own when possible.

Beyond chippers and mulchers: Additional tools for yard management

Additional tools to complement your wood chipper or mulcher include:

• • Chainsaws for cutting larger tree limbs and trunks

  • Leaf blowers for gathering small debris

  • Pruning shears and loppers for smaller branches

  • Rakes for gathering leaves and twigs

  • Compost bins for decomposing finer organic material

  • Wheelbarrows or garden carts for transporting waste

  • Wood splitters for processing larger trunks

What other equipment would be helpful for maintaining forested land?

Consider the benefits of a log splitter like the Woodland Mills LS218 for turning your supply of wood into a stack of firewood. If you're chipping branches and harvesting trees, having the ability to convert your trees into firewood is a logical next step, especially if you have a fireplace, boiler or a firepit to feed.

An ATV trailer for hauling wood chips or mulch, like the Multilander, can also be useful, since it can haul up to 2,000 lbs and features a removeable rear tailgate for easy dumping. If you want to haul cargo or equipment across your land consider the benefits of a trailer like the Multilander.

A garden shredder or another tool used to shred organic material can also be a useful tool to own, so check and see what makes your tasks as a landowner easier, and set up a budget that lets you invest in equipment that saves you time and effort daily or seasonally.

Why do landowners trust Woodland Mills for their wood chippers and forestry equipment?

Around the world landowners rely on Woodland Mills equipment, from stump grinders and wood chippers to ATV trailers and portable sawmills, to transform the natural resources of their land into lumber, wood chips or usable space for future projects.

We engineer and manufacture our equipment and sell it directly to our customers. That gives us a direct line of contact with the people using our products, from helping them choose the right equipment to supporting them long after the sale. It's a relationship we value, and just the way we like it.

If you want to see how other acreage owners use their products take a look at the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook group, where tens of thousands of satisfied product owners share advice, recommendations and projects with each other.

Conclusion

The choice between a wood chipper and a mulcher depends on your specific yard maintenance needs. Wood chippers are best for larger branches and woody materials, while mulchers excel at creating fine material from leaves and small garden debris. Consider your property size, typical green waste, and intended use for the processed material before you decide. Both tools can streamline garden waste management, turning debris into valuable landscape resources. An informed choice will ensure efficient yard maintenance and contribute to a healthier garden ecosystem.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best wood chipper for wet, leafy branches?

For wet, green or leafy branches you'll want to consider a wood chipper model that features Twin Flywheel technology.

On a typical single-flywheel wood chipper, the same flywheel performs both the chipping and throwing functions. Because the discharge paddles rotate at the same speed as the chipping flywheel, the amount of airflow the system can generate is limited by the speed required for chipping.

Woodland Mills PRO Series Twin Flywheel chippers separate these two functions. The primary flywheel is dedicated to chipping the material, while a second, faster-spinning flywheel is dedicated to generating airflow and discharging the chips. This allows the discharge flywheel to operate at a higher speed without changing the speed of the chipping flywheel.

The increased airflow helps carry lightweight, wet, leafy and coniferous material through the chip stream and throw chips farther from the discharge chute, making Twin Flywheel technology particularly useful for landowners who regularly process green tree debris.

Q: How do I move wood chips and mulch around my property?

You should think about how you plan on moving your wood chips once you get a wood chipper. While you can chip at the destination where you want your wood chips to be used, another method involves having a trailer capable of hauling them around your property. ATV trailers like the Multilander are incredibly handy for moving wood debris or other materials throughout rough off-road trails and muddy farmer's fields.

Q: What are some fun uses for wood chips?

Some landowners use them for decoration, placing them around centrepieces on their lawn. Some landowners use them for burning in meat smokers, letting them turn their supply of tree debris into fuel for tasty smoked meats. Some landowners use them to grow mushrooms or for a renewable form of animal bedding for goats or chickens.

Think about some of the fun ways you can reuse your wood chips around your property.

Q: Do I need to trim branches before using a wood chipper?

Yes, it's generally a good practice to trim branches before feeding them into a wood chipper. This helps for several reasons:

It ensures branches fit properly into the chipper's feed chute. Trimming removes any forked sections that could jam the machine.

It allows you to inspect for and remove any metal objects (like nails or wire) that could damage the chipper. Smaller, trimmed pieces are easier for the chipper to process efficiently.

Q: Can you use a wood chipper as a mulcher?

While a wood chipper can produce material that can be used as mulch, it's not the same as using a dedicated mulcher. Wood chippers typically produce larger, coarser chips, while mulchers create finer material. Some points to consider:

Chipper output may be too coarse for some mulching applications. Chippers may also not handle leaves and very small twigs as effectively as mulchers.

Some chippers have adjustable settings that can produce finer material, but it still may not be as fine as a mulcher's output.

Q: Do I need a mulcher or chipper?

The choice between a mulcher and chipper depends on your specific needs, but oftentimes when dealing with thick tree debris and tree waste a wood chipper is the more useful piece of equipment to own. It allows you to chip heavier materials, and softer, lighter green materials can naturally decay into mulch over time. But take a look at your property's needs and see what makes sense for you.

Q: What is better, a chipper or a shredder?

Neither is inherently better - it depends on your specific needs:

• • Chippers are better for processing larger, woody materials into chips.

  • Shredders (mulchers) are better for creating fine mulch from leaves and small twigs.

  • Consider your primary type of yard waste when making this decision.