There are two common ways you can go about disposing of yard waste - a wood chipper vs burning. There are pros and cons to both methods, but one will probably make more sense for your situation when you take a closer look.
A burn pile can feel like the fastest solution, and it’s definitely the cheapest approach. Stack branches, light a match (maybe pour some gasoline), and the debris is gone in a few hours. But open flames, drifting smoke, and burn bans make this impractical for a lot of properties. You’re left with ash cleanup and partially burned debris that still needs to be taken care of.
A wood chipper makes way more sense for homeowners or landscaping crews that generate green waste regularly, want to reuse material as mulch, and/or need a year-round solution that isn’t contingent on weather or local fire restrictions.
Burning can still make sense on rural properties with legal burn allowances and infrequent cleanup, but it’s not practical or permitted everywhere. In these cases, you’ll want to either rent or buy a wood chipper - and we’re here to help. Get in touch with Equipment Outfitters today!
Key Takeaways on Wood Chipper vs Burning
|
Comparison Point |
Wood Chipper |
Burning Yard Waste |
|
Best for |
Routine pruning, storm cleanup, and properties that generate debris regularly. |
Occasional cleanup where burning is legal, safe, and practical. |
|
What it turns waste into |
Wood chips you can use for mulch, paths, composting, or easy bagging. |
Ash and partially burned debris that still needs cleanup and disposal. |
|
Speed of the job |
Fast once set up—feed branches continuously until the pile is gone. |
Can take hours of active monitoring plus cooldown time. |
|
Safety profile |
Blade hazard is controlled by the chute and safe feeding technique. |
Open flame risk, embers, wind shift, and potential property/fire spread. |
|
Legal / restriction risk |
Usually allowed anywhere you can operate equipment safely. |
Often restricted by burn bans, local ordinances, air quality rules, or permit requirements. |
|
Impact on neighbors |
Just a little noise. |
Smoke and odor can drift; complaints are common in tighter neighborhoods. |
|
Ongoing cost |
Machines start at $150 but can cost thousands depending on capacity/style. Ongoing costs as well. Rentals exist. |
Pretty much zero cost. |
Pros and Cons of a Wood Chipper
Wood chippers feed branches, limbs, and yard debris into a cutting system that breaks material down into small wood chips. This is either done with spinning knives mounted on a disc or a rotating drum that pulls material inward.
Either way, you get a controlled, mechanical process that reduces bulky debris into manageable chips you can reuse or dispose of easily. It’s the cleaner option for just about any type of property.
Pros of a Wood Chipper
- Wood chips have value: Use them for mulch, garden paths, erosion control, or compost.
- Works year-round: No reliance on weather conditions or burn restrictions. You can process debris at your own pace instead of waiting for perfect conditions.
- Cleaner disposal: No ash piles, partially burned debris, or lingering smoke.
- Neighbor-friendly: No smoke or odor drifting across property lines.
- Scales with volume: Handle regular pruning and storm debris without constant hauling.
Cons of a Wood Chipper
- Upfront cost: Chipper can cost between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
- Maintenance required: Blades need periodic inspection and sharpening.
- Storage space: Machines take up room in a garage or shed.
- Active operation: You need to feed material and monitor the machine while it’s running.
Pros and Cons of Burning Your Yard Waste
Burning yard waste is a far more rudimentary approach to cleanup. You just stack branches, brush, and debris into a pile and ignite it in an open area. Eventually, you’re left with just ash and charred logs/branches that didn’t fully combust.
This method obviously requires dry conditions, constant monitoring, and compliance with local fire regulations. It’s usually a one-off event, not an ongoing disposal method.
Pros of Burning Yard Waste
- Low upfront cost: No equipment purchase required.
- Simple setup: Pile debris, ignite, and monitor.
- Effective for large, dry piles: Can reduce volume quickly in one burn.
- Common in rural areas: Often accepted on farmland or properties outside of city limits.
Cons of Burning Yard Waste
- Fire risk: Wind shifts, embers, and dry conditions all increase the chance of spread.
- Legal limitations: Burn bans, permits, and air quality rules can shut it down entirely.
- Time-intensive: Requires constant supervision and cooldown time.
- Smoke and odor: Can affect neighbors and trigger complaints.
- Residual cleanup: Ash and unburned debris still need to be handled.
- Not reusable: You lose the chance to turn debris into mulch or compost.
Wood Chipper vs Burning: Which Makes More Sense?
Before you rush to light that big pile of debris on fire, you need to take a step back and think more carefully about what actually makes the most sense between a wood chipper vs burning. We’ve created this quick guide to help you make the right choice.
Yard Waste Volume
The first thing you need to consider is how much yard waste you’re actually up against. Not just right now, but over the course of a year.
Burning can work where it’s legal if you only deal with small piles once or twice a year. There’s no point in buying a wood chipper just for that. But burning quickly becomes impractical if you prune trees, clear brush, or deal with storm debris every season.
A wood chipper handles repeat volume without waiting for the “right day” or rebuilding piles over and over. It’ll pay for itself fast if you have to dispose of waste 4-6+ times over the course of a year. You’re not dealing with second passes like you might with a burn pile, either.
Type of Material to Dispose of
Burning works best on dry, straight branches and brush that ignite easily. Green wood, thick limbs, and tangled material burn poorly and often leave half-charred debris behind.
On the other hand, a wood chipper doesn’t care whether branches are green, dry, or awkwardly shaped. They break down consistently as long as they fit the wood chipper’s capacity, be it a:
And if you find yourself with huge leave piles that have to be disposed of, there are many chippers with shredding capability as well. A wood chipper is just more versatile than a burn pile could ever be.
Time and Effort Required
Burning sounds simple. Throw a match in the pile, maybe after dousing it in gasoline/diesel, and let nature take its course. It doesn’t actually work that way, though. You need to build the pile, monitor the fire constantly, manage wind shifts, and wait for cooldown before cleanup.
In contrast, chipping lets you work far more efficiently. Set the machine up and just feed material continuously until the pile is finished. Yes, there’s more manual effort - but the process is faster, more predictable, and more contained.
Local Regulations and Environmental Impact
Choosing between a wood chipper vs burning is a lot more straightforward in some areas than others. So, think about where you live.
Many areas restrict or ban open burning during dry seasons, high winds, or poor air quality days. Even if it’s allowed, you might have to get a permit. Then, you have to consider how your neighbors will feel about smoke drifting onto their property.
These are non-issues with a wood chipper. There’s no smoke, no ash runoff, and no risk of violating burn rules. It’s more environmentally friendly in the sense that chipping keeps organic material on-site instead of releasing particulates into the air, too.
Safety Risks to Think About
There are obvious risks when overseeing a burn pile: embers, flare-ups, and fire spread beyond the pile. These become more prominent with wind, dry ground, and nearby structures. This is why burning is so heavily regulated.
That’s not to say there are zero hazards with a wood chipper. You’re working with a machine that spins sharp knives at a high rate of speed, after all. The difference is that the risks are entirely manageable, and injuries are 100% avoidable. The cutting system is contained within the chute. Safe operation is as simple as proper feeding technique and awareness.
Long-Term Cost and Convenience
This is one of the most important distinctions between a wood chipper vs burning brush. One is free, the other costs money.
But don’t just make this decision based on cost alone. Think about the value of your time. A wood chipper is way more convenient and can help you work through big jobs in less time. It’s a smart investment if you envision yourself using it frequently enough.
And in some cases, you don’t really have any choice but to bite the bullet and go with a wood chipper, since burning isn’t always feasible. So, is it better to rent or buy a wood chipper? That’s something you’ll have to decide based on how much yard cleanup you do.
But if you do decide to bring one of these machines into your arsenal, our team here at Equipment Outfitters can point you in the right direction. We stock the best brands and their most popular models, like Yardbeast, Detail K2, Boss Industrial, PowerKing, and more.
You’ll also get the lowest prices, guaranteed, with hassle-free financing options available. Now, what size wood chipper do I need? We can walk you through that. Whether you’re looking for a mini wood chipper or commercial wood chipper, take the next step today!
Wrapping Up Our Wood Chipper vs Burning Comparison
As you can see, choosing between a wood chipper vs burning comes down to control, consistency, and how often you deal with yard debris.
Burning can work in limited, legal situations, but it’s dependent on weather, timing, and constant supervision. A wood chipper offers a repeatable way to clear branches, reduce waste volume, and reuse material without smoke or burn restrictions.
Equipment Outfitters helps homeowners, property managers, and landscaping crews pick the perfect machine based on property size, material type, and real cleanup needs. Whether you’re looking for a PTO wood chipper vs gas, we’ve got you covered.
Work smarter, not harder, with trusted equipment from our selection!