Atmospheric Rivers and the Branch Problem

Every fall and winter, major storm systems roll in off the Pacific and dump heavy rain and wind on Greater Vancouver. On the North Shore especially, these storms — sometimes called atmospheric rivers — can bring gusts strong enough to break limbs and bring down whole trees.

After a big storm, the cleanup job is obvious: piles of branches, snapped limbs, and downed material sitting across the yard. The old way is to cut it into manageable pieces and haul it to the transfer station. That takes time, costs disposal fees, and requires multiple truck loads for anything more than a small pile.

A rented wood chipper turns the same debris into a compact pile of wood chips in a fraction of the time. Those chips can go straight back into your garden beds as mulch, be spread under trees, or be bagged and disposed of far more easily than whole branches.

What Dynamic Rents: 5" Tow-Behind and 3" Chipper-Shredder

Dynamic Equipment Rentals stocks two chippers: a 5-inch capacity tow-behind chipper and a 3-inch capacity chipper-shredder.

The 5-inch tow-behind is the bigger machine. It handles branches up to 5 inches (125mm) in diameter — covering most of what comes down in a typical storm from residential trees. It's trailer-mounted and needs a vehicle capable of towing. This is the machine for a full day of cleanup, multiple trees, or a landscaping crew working through a property.

The 3-inch chipper-shredder is the lighter option. It handles smaller material — pruning waste, hedge trimmings, branches up to about 3 inches across. It's more compact and easier to move around the yard, which makes it useful for homeowners doing routine garden cleanup or small ornamental tree work.

North Shore Reality: Wet Wood and Big Trees

Here's something generic chipper guides don't tell you: wet wood chips differently than dry wood. After a Vancouver rainstorm, everything you're putting through the chipper is soaked. Wet branches are heavier, require more engine power, and produce wetter chips that pack more densely.

This matters for two reasons. First, don't overload the machine. Feed wet material in smaller amounts and let the chipper work through it rather than jamming a thick, waterlogged limb all at once. Second, wet chips spread better as mulch and break down faster — which is actually a benefit if you're putting them around garden beds or trees.

The tree species on North Shore properties also vary a lot. Cedar and fir chip cleanly. Big-leaf maple — which is everywhere in North Vancouver and Burnaby — is denser and harder, which puts more demand on the chipper. Know what you're feeding.

Access: Towing a Chipper Into a North Shore Property

The 5-inch tow-behind is a trailer, which means you need to think about access. Can you get a vehicle and trailer up your driveway? Is the gate wide enough? Can you turn around once you're on the property?

Many North Shore properties have steep driveways and tight access. Before you book the 5-inch machine, think through your route. If access is limited, the 3-inch chipper-shredder may be the more practical choice — it's smaller, easier to wheel around the yard, and doesn't require towing.

One practical tip: position the chipper near where the debris is, not where it's convenient to park. Moving a pile of wet branches 30 metres to the chipper takes far longer than moving the chipper to the pile.

Safety: The Rules That Prevent Serious Injuries

Chippers are powerful machines and the injuries they cause are severe. A few firm rules:

Never feed material by hand. Use the feed table and let the infeed rollers pull the branch in. Keep your hands away from the opening. Feed branches butt-end first — tip-first can cause the branch to twist and kick.

Keep everyone well back from both the infeed and the discharge chute. Chips fly out fast. Point the discharge toward an open area, not toward people, windows, or vehicles.

Never put anything non-organic through the machine. Wire, rope, or metal fragments can damage the blades and turn into dangerous projectiles.

Wear a face shield, hearing protection, and close-fitting clothing. Loose sleeves are a catch hazard near the infeed.

Rent a Wood Chipper at Dynamic Equipment Rentals

Dynamic Equipment Rentals stocks the 5-inch tow-behind chipper and 3-inch chipper-shredder at their North Vancouver and Port Coquitlam locations. Demand spikes after major storm events — if an atmospheric river just came through the North Shore, call ahead to check availability.

Browse the landscape and garden equipment category at dynamic-rentals.com or call 604-973-2171. Tell the team the size of material you're chipping and your site access situation — they'll point you to the right machine.