Wood Chipping

Do you have a pile of branches or tree waste in your garden and not sure what to do with it?

Wondering what happens to all the wood after a tree is cut down or trimmed?

At Leicester Tree Services, one of the most useful and efficient ways we deal with leftover wood from tree work is through wood chipping. Many of our customers ask about it when we’re pruning trees, cutting down hedges, or removing large branches. Wood chipping might not sound very exciting at first, but it’s actually one of the most important parts of our job. It helps us clean up after any tree work, and it gives the leftover wood a new purpose, rather than letting it go to waste.

So, what exactly is wood chipping? Simply put, wood chipping is the process of breaking down branches, small logs, hedge trimmings, and other pieces of woody material into small chips using a machine called a wood chipper. The chipper has powerful rotating blades that slice the wood into evenly sized pieces, which we call wood chips. These chips can then be used in a variety of ways, including as mulch for your garden, ground cover for paths, or even as a natural way to keep weeds down. Instead of leaving behind big piles of bulky branches, we use our wood chipper to quickly reduce them into something clean, useful, and easy to move or reuse.

Wood chipping is often done right on-site. After we’ve pruned a tree, cut down a hedge, or removed a tree entirely, we take the branches and feed them into the chipper. It’s a fast and tidy way to deal with the mess. You might be surprised at how much material can be processed in a short time. A big pile of branches that takes up half your garden can be turned into a neat mound of chips in just minutes. The result? A cleaner, safer, and more usable space for you to enjoy.

At Leicester Tree Services, we bring our own chipper to each job, so you don’t need to worry about hiring extra equipment or doing any of the hard work yourself. We take care of everything from start to finish. Once the branches are chipped, we give you the option to either keep the wood chips or have us remove them for you. Some customers like to keep the chips to use as mulch, while others prefer us to take them away. Either way, we always make sure your garden or site is left tidy and ready to use again.

You might be wondering what types of wood can actually be chipped. The good news is that most of the wood that comes from regular tree work can be put through the chipper. That includes small to medium-sized branches, hedge cuttings, and even sections of trunk, depending on their size. Both softwoods and hardwoods can be chipped. Softwoods, like pine and spruce, chip easily and make a light, dry mulch. Hardwoods like oak, beech, or ash take a little longer to chip, but they produce heavier and longer-lasting wood chips.

In Leicester, we regularly chip wood from common trees like sycamore, maple, birch, cherry, and apple, as well as evergreen species like leylandii and laurel. Hedge cuttings, including privet, box, and beech, also go through the chipper with no problem. In fact, after a big hedge trimming job, wood chipping is often the easiest way to deal with all the waste. Instead of filling up dozens of green bins or waiting for council collections, we chip it all on the spot and clear everything away the same day.

However, not all types of material are suitable for wood chipping. For example, we don’t put grass, wet leaves, or soil into the chipper, as this can clog the machine and damage the blades. Likewise, very large logs that are too wide for the machine can’t be chipped without being cut down to size first. We’re always happy to assess the wood on your property and let you know exactly what can be chipped and what needs to be handled differently. Our team is experienced, friendly, and ready to give honest advice based on what’s best for your space.

Another important thing to know is that the condition of the wood can affect how well it chips. Freshly cut “green” wood chips very well, while older, dried-out wood can be tougher and slower to process. But in most cases, whether the wood is fresh or dry, it can still be chipped safely and effectively with the right tools and techniques. That’s why it’s best to leave the job to trained professionals like us. We have the knowledge, the equipment, and the experience to get it done quickly, safely, and with great results.

Wood chipping isn’t just about getting rid of waste—it’s about making use of what’s left behind. Many of our customers choose to reuse the wood chips in their own gardens. Mulch made from chipped wood can help retain moisture in the soil, protect plant roots during hot weather, and suppress weeds. It also gives a neat, natural look to flower beds and borders. Some people use it to create soft, natural paths through garden areas or woodland spaces. Others use it as compost material, allowing it to break down naturally and return nutrients to the soil. However you choose to use it, wood chips are a great way to recycle your tree waste.

If you don’t have a use for the chips, that’s no problem either. We can load them up and take them away, either to a green waste centre or to local gardens and farms that want to use them. We always aim to recycle as much material as possible, so very little goes to waste. It’s one of the ways we keep our services eco-friendly and sustainable.

Wood chipping is also a safer way to deal with leftover branches. Leaving piles of wood around can become a hazard, attracting pests, getting in the way of lawnmowers, or becoming a fire risk during dry weather. By chipping the wood and clearing it away, we leave your outdoor space safe and free of debris.

At Leicester Tree Services, wood chipping is part of most of the tree and hedge work we do. It’s built into our service and helps us deliver a clean, complete finish every time. Whether we’re felling a tree, trimming back overgrown branches, or reshaping a tall hedge, we include wood chipping in our process so you don’t have to deal with a mess afterward. It’s quick, clean, and efficient—and it helps make the most out of every job we do.

We also offer wood chipping as a standalone service. If you’ve already done some garden clearing yourself and now have a pile of branches to deal with, we can come out with our chipper and take care of it for you. No job is too big or too small. Just give us a call, tell us what you’ve got, and we’ll provide a free quote with no pressure. We’re always happy to help and will work around your schedule.

Wood chipping might seem like just another part of the job, but it’s something we take pride in doing well. It’s one of those services that makes a real difference—not just in how your garden looks afterward, but in how easy it is for you to use and enjoy your outdoor space again. At Leicester Tree Services, we believe in leaving every job tidy, safe, and finished properly. And that’s exactly what wood chipping helps us do.

So, if you’ve got tree branches, hedge trimmings, or garden waste piling up, let us help. With our expert wood chipping service, we’ll clear it up, chip it down, and leave your garden clean and ready for whatever you want to do next.

Leicester Tree Services
6 St Georges Way
Leicester
LE1 1SH
Phone: 01164035555