Now’s the time for trimming overhanging branches on trees, just before the warmer weather and Spring growth when leaves emerge.
Pruning trees now will encourage more vigorous growth. Don’t worry if the trees look a bit untidy as new leaves will quickly emerge.
And once you’ve trimmed the branches away use a shredder to reduce them to chips as the wood will not be fit to store for the fire and big bonfires can annoy the neighbours.
If you have several trees to trim you will need a larger and more powerful machine like this,
the Earthquake CS10 Petrol Chipper-Shredder, a machine often the choice of professional gardeners who have large amounts of branches to chip.
This machine has a patented system to reduce the debris to a twentieth of it volume and can also deal with hedge clippings and softer debris which often clogs lesser machines.
Powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine and taking branches up to 7.5 cm in diameter with its sharp chipping blades.
It also has a 70 litre collection bag and costs £999, delivered free within two to three working days and with a two-year warranty.
An even bigger brute of a machine made for professional use and estate work is the Mighty Mac Woodsman Pro Petrol Chipper-Shredder.
This is a very powerful machine which has a separate chipper mechanism and has the advantage in that it can be towed with its front wheels designed for tight turns and with pneumatic tyres.
It costs £1899, is delivered free the next working day and has a one year warranty.
See these pages for a fuller list of chipper shredders.
And keep an eye on our blogs for top value garden machinery and handy tips on what jobs need doing in the garden.
