Best Wood Chipper for Tree Service

Running a tree service isn’t for the faint of heart—and neither is choosing the right wood chipper. You need a machine that’s powerful, reliable, and built for daily punishment. From hauling out limbs after removals to processing massive piles of brush and trunks, the best wood chippers for tree services are designed to chew through hardwood, green limbs, and twisted debris with zero downtime.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top wood chippers for professional tree services in 2024—what makes them elite, which models work for your crew, and how to match a machine to your volume, job site, and business size.

---

Why Tree Services Need the Right Chipper

Tree work isn’t just about cutting—it’s about removing and processing debris quickly and safely. A professional chipper should:

• Handle large branches (6″ to 12″) without stalling

• Feed material automatically with hydraulic rollers

• Run continuously without overheating

• Be towable, road-legal, and ready to move from job to job

• Offer quick maintenance access and superior blade durability

If your crew is spending more time unclogging your chipper than chipping, it’s time to upgrade.

---

Best Wood Chippers for Tree Service in 2024

1. Bandit 250XP Disk-Style Wood Chipper

Best for: High-volume tree services and urban crews

Direct Answer: The Bandit 250XP is a 12-inch capacity chipper with hydraulic feed rollers and a disk-style cutting system built to handle everything from tree trunks to palm debris with speed and consistency.

Top Features:

• Up to 165 HP engine options (gas or diesel)

• 12-inch branch capacity

• Dual hydraulic feed rollers with auto feed system

• Disk-style chipper with large throat opening

• DOT-approved trailer with brakes, lights, and safety chains

Why Pros Love It:

• Fastest chipper in its class

• Handles full trees, not just branches

• Easy to service and built to last over 10 years

Drawbacks:

• Premium price tag (but proven ROI)

• Heavier—requires truck towing and a trained operator

---

2. Vermeer BC1000XL Gas-Powered Chipper

Best for: Mid-sized tree service businesses

Direct Answer: The Vermeer BC1000XL is a gas-powered chipper with a 12″ capacity, dual infeed rollers, and an easy-to-maintain drum system—perfect for crews working urban and suburban jobs.

Specs:

• 89 HP gas EFI engine (also available in diesel)

• 12″ capacity, 17″ x 13″ feed opening

• Hydraulic infeed with SmartFeed control system

• Fold-down infeed table and tool-free belt changes

Why It’s Crew-Ready:

• Efficient fuel use and responsive controls

• Ideal for residential work and medium tree takedowns

• Compact size with serious muscle

Watch Outs:

• Not designed for massive commercial land clearing

• Limited to gas/diesel availability in some regions

---

3. Morbark Eeger Beever 1415 Brush Chipper

Best for: Full-service contractors and forestry operations

Direct Answer: The Morbark 1415 is a 14-inch capacity chipper designed for high-volume work, featuring an aggressive hydraulic feed and robust drum cutting system.

Highlights:

• Available with gas or diesel engines (147+ HP)

• 14” material capacity

• Slide box feed system with crush rollers

• TorqMax belt-tensioning system for easy upkeep

Why It’s a Beast:

• Built for 8-hour+ days

• Works through hardwood, green wood, and dirty brush

• Excellent for large takedowns, commercial contracts, and municipalities

Considerations:

• Requires a ¾-ton truck to tow

• Overkill for small-scale jobs

---

4. DR Power PRO XL575 Self-Feeding Chipper (5.75″ Capacity)

Best for: New or small-scale tree services on a budget

Direct Answer: The DR Power PRO XL575 is a gas-powered chipper with a 5.75-inch capacity, perfect for tree services just starting out or operating in rural areas.

Key Specs:

• 420cc OHV gas engine

• Handles up to 5.75″ branches

• Self-feeding flywheel system

• DOT trailer-ready with pin or ball hitch

Why It Works:

• Much cheaper than commercial chippers

• Enough power for removals under 30’ trees

• Compact and easy to tow with smaller trucks or UTVs

Downsides:

• Not hydraulic—slower than pro-level chippers

• Best for medium brush and limbs, not full trunks

---

5. Bear Cat CH9540H PTO Wood Chipper

Best for: Tree services with tractors or land-clearing attachments

Direct Answer: The Bear Cat CH9540H is a professional PTO chipper that handles up to 9-inch logs, great for arborists and land service businesses with tractor access.

Features:

• Hydraulic infeed rollers

• Requires 35–60 HP PTO tractor

• Chips full-size limbs and tree trunks

• Built-in safety bar and user-friendly access points

Why It’s Smart for Land Pros:

• No gas or diesel engine to maintain

• Run-time limited only by your tractor

• Excellent for firewood prep, brush removal, and whole-tree processing

Considerations:

• Not towable unless attached to a tractor

• Requires trained operators familiar with PTO equipment

---

Key Features to Look For in a Tree Service Wood Chipper

1. Material Capacity

• Minimum 6–9” for small crews

• 10–14 inches for full-size removals and high-volume jobs

• Larger throat openings allow for bushy or twisted limbs

2. Hydraulic Feed System

• Essential for professional chippers

• Dual rollers grip and crush material before chipping

• Look for SmartFeed or auto-sensing systems to reduce jams

3. Towable and DOT-Approved

• Legal road towing is a must

• Check for brakes, safety chains, trailer lights, and 2″ hitch

4. Durability and Maintenance

• Reversible, hardened steel blades

• Easy belt access, blade inspection ports

• Look for welded steel frames, sealed bearings, and heavy-duty construction

5. Engine Power

• Gas or diesel, typically 75 HP and up for full-service use

• Diesel engines offer better torque and fuel efficiency for long jobs

---

Quick Comparison Table

---

Who Should Invest in a Commercial Wood Chipper?

You’re ready for a serious chipper if:

• You run a tree removal, trimming, or land-clearing business

• You handle daily jobs with heavy wood and brush

• You need to keep job site times short and profits high

• You’re tired of breakdowns, clogs, and slow output

Whether you’re scaling your business or replacing old gear, a commercial-grade chipper is one of the most important tools in your truck.

---

Conclusion: Power Through Jobs With a Chipper Built for Tree Work

Tree services need more than average power—they need reliability, capacity, and speed. The right chipper not only improves your productivity, it pays for itself in saved hours and reduced labor.

Top Picks Recap:

• Best Overall: Bandit 250XP – Trusted workhorse with max performance

• Best Mid-Size Pro Option: Vermeer BC1000XL – Versatile and efficient

• Best for High-Volume Crews: Morbark 1415 – Built to eat trees for breakfast

• Best for Startups: DR PRO XL575 – Affordable and effective

• Best for Tractor-Based Crews: Bear Cat CH9540H – Powerful PTO chipper

Need help matching a chipper to your crew size, truck, or average job type? Just tell me what you’re working with, and I’ll recommend the best model for your service.