|
The two most common wood types used for making pallets are southern yellow pine (SYP) and oak. A former study done by the USDA and Virginia tech determined that SYP made up 18.9% of all woods used while oak made up 17.1% (by volume). Both oak and SYP actually contain several species that make up the woods classification which is based on the density of the wood.  Pallet made of Southern Yellow Pine Why southern yellow pine?
Pine lumber is commonly used in pallets due to its availability and low cost. It also can be kiln dried and provides a clean product needed for many applications such as pharmaceutical or food-related industries. Why oak? Oak is commonly used due to its strength and availability. While originally cut for more profitable markets, leftover oak lumber that doesn’t make a high enough grade for furniture is then used in pallet production. Oak is also one of the stronger hardwood species. Because of this strength, many customers have found that by using hardwood lumber, they can get by with less boards or thinner components on their pallets. The current trend by many pallet producers is to not separate out pallet material by species, but rather by hardwood vs softwood. Are you curious which type of wood species would be best for your pallets? Leave your questions below and we will help you determine which is best for you. Post by: Jonathan Haynes, Sales Representative
92 Comments
marie
8/2/2015 03:32:06 am
Is there safe pallets to use for a vegetable raised garden bed. ?
Marie,
Paul
1/11/2016 10:45:09 pm
is eucalyptus a good wood for hardwood pallets?
Jonathan Haynes
1/15/2016 04:23:07 pm
Yes, eucalyptus has been used before as pallet material. It was commonly imported years ago and used to build pallets. It's density is similar to many of our "less dense" hardwoods such as poplar and birch. The strength of the lumber is based on the density of the wood, eucalyptus would be about 45% weaker than red oak.
Steve McGuirk
2/5/2020 08:49:02 am
Thanks, Jonathon. I am looking at options for potential product use from Blue Gums (Eucalyptus globulus) which have become increasingly invasive in Santa Cruz County, especially in stream channels, drainage ways and ephemeral creeks. There are tree protection ordinances here but I am of the opinion that Blue Gums are highly invasive amidst what remain of our native forests, and should be responsibly managed. It would be great to have viable purposes for the lumber produced, and pallets seem like a great option. I'd love to hear any other uses you've heard of for the trees.
Jonathan Haynes
2/6/2020 06:01:19 pm
Hello Steve and thanks for the question. This Blue Gum species is one that I am not familiar with, so I’ve read up on it a little bit. The wood is supposed to have interlocked grain which could make it a poor choice for structural lumber or firewood. Typically lumber for pallets will be cut from freshly harvested trees which the lumber will have a high moisture content. As the pallet begins to dry out, the boards with a lot of growing stresses, such as trees with interlocked grain are likely to warp and bow, which will cause splits at the nailing joints. This will weaken the strength and durability of the pallet. I wouldn’t recommend using this lumber for pallets without some testing at a forest products lab.
Paul
1/11/2016 11:08:38 pm
Are hardwood pallet prices increasing / decreasing? What is projection given low oil prices?
Jonathan Haynes
1/15/2016 04:25:28 pm
Pallet prices seem to be stable at the moment. Winter months and bad logging conditions can greatly affect the lumber supply. It isn't likely to change the hardwood lumber market given the lower oil prices. The cost of fuel is a small percentage of the processing cost within pallet lumber.
Paul
1/19/2016 10:12:32 am
Thank you, Jonathan! Do you know what can I expect to pay for hard wood pallets in the U.S? At what volume breaks? 2/8/2022 04:17:52 pm
I live in South Carolina and was looking to use wood pallets to build an exterior fence. Reason I was thinking of using pallets is the word is very hard and plentiful. My question is would either oak or yellow pine rot as a fence? The reason I ask this is I have passed many yards with pallets stacked by their shipping docks and they sit out in the weather for quite some time and still seem to be well intact. With the cost of wood today I was just looking for a way to save some cost. Also, With the word need to be painted or stained to protect it from the weather? Thank you very much for taking the time I’m sure out of a busy schedule to answer these questions. Have a blessed day, Randall. 1/19/2016 10:33:01 am
Hardwood pallet prices can vary depending on several factors such as: what area you need the pallets shipped to, style of pallet, size of pallet and the service requirements. The same pallet can cost different amounts to produce in different areas of the country.
Ryan Kesler
2/4/2016 07:52:09 am
I've noticed that the notches on stringers have a curve on the corners instead of a rectangular, "right-angle" cut. Is that just the way the machine cuts it, or is there a more specific, deeper reason that it's cut with curves?
Jonathan Haynes
2/12/2016 12:10:31 pm
The notches in the stringers are normally cut by an automated machine that is set to cut an arch instead of a right angle. By cutting an arch, it will improve the strength of the notched area of the stringer.
Reginald Curry
2/28/2016 11:48:33 am
On average how much would it cost to build each pallet, maybe 32x32. The recycling companies I spoke with are only paying 3 to $4 so I need to see if there will be any room for profit.
Jonathan Haynes
3/1/2016 04:52:07 pm
Reginald, the cost of new pallets can vary based on the amount of lumber used, style of pallet, production capabilities of a particular mill, and even the type of lumber used in the construction of the pallet. It's common for used pallets that are smaller than 48 x 40 pallets to sell for $3-4 each. Typically recycled pallets 32 x 32 are made from lumber that can't be used in standard size pallets such as 48 x 40's. In the case of used pallets, there are costs associated such as raw materials, labor, and freight.
Nicole M
3/5/2016 12:24:23 pm
I'm using pallets for a number of projects from floating shelves to oversized vintage looking wall clocks, so I am using different stains and paints and finishes depending on what effect I want to accomplish. My question is how do I know what kind of wood it is so I know what products to use for the desired finish?
Jonathan Haynes
3/7/2016 04:16:11 pm
Nicole, identifying the different wood species can be tricky at times. I have a book, identifying wood by R. Bruce Hoadley that has been very helpful. It has photos and descriptions of the various lumber species and greatly help in identifying what lumber species the wood is. This book can still be purchased online.
Mike Jovic
8/21/2018 10:53:11 am
Would you please send me link to purchase that book?
Lynn
4/25/2016 09:31:23 am
I thought about using the wood from pallets to make hardwood floors in my home. I worry about termites and knowing what type of wood I'm using so there is consistency. I appreciate any advice.
Jonathan Haynes
6/9/2016 11:26:13 am
Lynn, I would recommend using hardwood lumber that is sold as flooring for house. The moisture content of pallet lumber can vary and may lead to dimensional changes within the boards as some of the boards continue to dry out. Hardwood lumber sold as flooring is dried and is less likely to change sizes once it is kept inside a house.
Rahul
5/28/2016 09:39:39 am
Hi, 5/31/2016 10:27:49 am
Rahul, the price of heat treating can vary depending on the production facility that treats the lumber and the style of the pallet. Pricing could range from $.50-2.00 per pallet depending on the pallet's design and size. 6/1/2016 05:04:59 am
Dear, haynes
Jonathan Haynes
9/29/2016 02:19:34 pm
Kwangheon, yes pine is a good type of wood for building pallets. It is easy to process and will work well for most applications as long as the thickness of the boards meets all the required weight of the product being placed on the pallet. Typically pallets will be produced by any type of lumber that is inexpensive. With today's high speed nailing machines and saws, the equipment can process just about any type of lumber and turn it into a pallet. Many other common species used for pallets are: poplar, gum, oak, maple, alder, and many species of pine. 6/1/2016 09:12:09 am
Kwangheon kim, the best species for a wooden pallet is really dependent on how you're going to be using the pallets. Hardwood lumber is usually more dense or stronger than softwood lumber so if strength is your main concern your pallets should be made from hardwood species. Hardwood lumber can also be sawn into custom thicknesses to help adjust for the strength of certain species and save money by not using too much lumber where it is not needed. Softwood lumber can be more economically dried and provides a better material if mold growth is a problem within your pallets. Usually the best option comes down to three factors; what material will give you the desired packaging properties such as controlling mold growth, the strength needed to safely haul your product, and is located within an economic shipping area of your location. 6/1/2016 08:05:13 pm
Thank you for your answer. 6/1/2016 08:56:05 pm
Oh. I have something one more to ask you.
Jonathan Haynes
2/7/2017 01:23:18 pm
In my experience, un-dried or green pine would be the least expensive species of wood to produce pallets from worldwide. Pine trees can grow in most countries and regions around the world therefore the lumber would be commonly found.
Salim
6/6/2016 03:31:54 pm
Hi
Jonathan Haynes
6/9/2016 11:29:24 am
Wooden pallets are more widely used than steel pallets due to the price of the raw material they are made from. The material needed to produce a wooden pallet is much less expensive than steel beams or rods needed to produce a steel pallet.
Marie D.
6/13/2016 05:27:42 pm
Hi, I wanted to do a pallet wall in my cabin. I'm having trouble getting hardwood, can I use soft wood pallets?
Jonathan Haynes
7/8/2016 10:39:11 am
Hello Marie, yes softwood pallets would be fine to make a pallet wall. Each species of wood can be unique in appearance. Please let me know how the pallet wall turns out.
Ashley Welborn
6/27/2016 09:51:19 am
Hi there , I have a question and I'm not sure if it has been asked and if so I apologize. Are pallets stamped letting the user know whether it has been made from treated wood or untreated wood ? I wonder because I heard treated pallets will not hold stain varnish laquar etc.
Jonathan Haynes
6/28/2016 10:49:58 am
Good morning Ashley, pallets that are stamped with an IPPC HT stamp means the lumber has heat-treated to kill any insects that may be living in the wood. This heat treating process should not change the way a wood will hold stain or surface treatments, it simply heats the wood to a temperature that most insects can’t live at for 30 minutes. Another meaning for treated wood often applies to lumber that has been pressure treated with a preservative to help the lumber resist rotting when stored outside. This lumber can be more difficult to stain or varnish than “un-treated” lumber due to the chemicals used in the preservative. Most pallets that are stamped for an export use are not constructed from lumber that has been treated with a preservative.
Liz Booth
7/5/2016 09:42:08 pm
This is super helpful info. What other stamps are out there besides HT? I'm using for birdhouses and don't think they would want a home with the chemicals.
Jonathan Haynes
7/8/2016 11:31:28 am
Good morning Liz, the heat treated stamps are the most commonly found stamps on pallets (labeled HT). There is another stamp but it is being phased out of use; MB or methyl bromide is a gas used to fumigate pallets and kill any insects living in the wood. The gas isn’t supposed to leave any residue on the pallets, but the fumigation process is dangerous. I would recommend building a birdhouse out of a species of lumber that won’t deteriorate or that is treated with a standard wood preservative.
Candy Clark
7/12/2016 06:52:40 pm
Hi. We are making a pallet wood headboard, and are lucky enough to find wood slats red in color. I was thinking red oak, but it doesn't seem to be a hardwood. Thanks, Candy
Jonathan Haynes
9/29/2016 02:24:25 pm
Candy, the color of some species of lumber can vary from tree to tree. Red oak would be a very dense hardwood and it does produce nice furniture. It may be that the boards you have could be aged to a point that the lumber has softened with decay.
Alan
8/29/2016 12:26:41 pm
What is the best type of wood to use for One-Way pallets and do they need to be HT?
Jonathan Haynes
9/29/2016 02:38:25 pm
Alan, one way shipping pallets can be made from any type of lumber, depending on the price of the material. Sometimes pine is less expensive than hardwood species. Hardwood is more dense than pine, and would require less material to provide the adequate strength needed to ship your products safely. What types of products do you ship?
Rossa
9/22/2016 10:09:21 pm
How can you tell what palletc to use if don't say HD or heat treated
Jonathan Haynes
9/29/2016 02:46:01 pm
Rossa, the heat treated pallets should have an IPPC stamp on the pallet. This stamp ensures that the pallets have been heat treated by a licensed company. A photo of the stamp can be found at:
Kyle
9/28/2016 08:15:05 pm
Do pallets have to be heat treated or anything or can it just be syp not treated? How much would it cost to build a 48x40? What's the going rate for a 48x40?
Jonathan Haynes
9/29/2016 02:48:12 pm
Kyle, pallets do not have to be heat treated. The heat treating is only needed if you're exporting product on the pallet. New 48 x 40 pallets can range from $6.00 to $20 and up depending on how much lumber is used in the construction. 10/5/2016 05:48:22 pm
It's interesting that oak is a common choice for pallets due to it's strength and availability. it makes sense that it could be a more common wood and the fact that it's strong is beneficial. It's something to keep in mind when looking at shipping crates and pallets as having an option that's relatively inexpensive but still strong and easy to get could be good. Thanks for sharing! 1/31/2017 11:53:29 am
Good morning Tyler, yes oak is a strong wood species. Pine can also be very beneficial though as it is lighter than oak, so if strength is not needed, it may save on shipping costs due to weight. Do you have a preferred wood species that you build crates or pallets from?
Judy A Bennett
12/19/2016 08:29:08 pm
We are shipping our belongings from Papua New Guinea to the U.S. Do our crates need to be made of treated lumber? 1/31/2017 11:57:06 am
Good morning Judy, yes any solid wood crates or pallets will need to be treated and stamped before shipping into the US. The treating regulations are for solid wooden components such as boards or blocks, if you have a crate made from a composite material then it is exempt from the treating requirements. Composite materials would be plywood, OSB, particle board, etc. How are you currently shipping your products?
Jiffer
4/9/2017 09:24:02 am
I am recycling a pallet from Alabama and it looks like it is constructed of pine. Are you aware of the different species of pine used in the construction of pallets in the south? Thanks. 4/10/2017 11:21:54 am
Good morning Jiffer, yes there are multiple species of southern yellow pine that are used in pallet production. Most of them are similar in their density though which will yield similar durability ratings for that type of lumber. The density of the wood will determine how much weight the boards can hold as well as how well they will hold a nail in place. What species of pine do you normally produce pallets from?
Steve
6/8/2017 08:04:42 am
Are all the boards in any given pallet the same type of wood, or at least the same classification between hardwood and softwood?
Jonathan Haynes
6/9/2017 04:18:43 pm
Good afternoon Steve, most of the time the wood used on a pallet will be the same species when it is first produced. The pallet could be repaired with any species of lumber though as most recyclers do not sort their repair boards based on species. Are the pallets you're using hardwood or softwood species?
alice
6/12/2017 05:23:51 pm
Hello Jonathan,
Jonathan Haynes
6/15/2017 09:26:14 am
Good morning Alice, hazardous chemicals wouldn't normally be added to new wooden pallets as most pallet producers strive to find the lowest cost raw materials to build their pallets from. Most new pallets made today are from untreated lumber that hasn't been sprayed or dipped with any type of chemicals. Chemicals such as preservatives or coatings are expensive to purchase and costly to apply.
Hudson
8/1/2017 11:20:52 am
We use heat treated hardwood pallets, but considering pine. Some foreign customers refuse to let us use pine pallets, but is this normal for countries outside the US?? Our pallet manufacturer warns us about single use pallets (pine) vs multi-use pallets (hardwood), but we are not pallet experts. The materials we ship are heavy (1,500 lbs.) per pallet. We are told the pine construction will not hold up to the load when stacked. Any insight on which to use would be helpful!! Thx. 8/1/2017 02:21:02 pm
Hudson, heat treated pine pallets can be used for multiple trips if they are designed correctly and they will meet all export criteria. With the ISPM 15 regulations stating that all lumber must be certified heat treated, either pine or hardwood should be safe to use for export shipments. Our Nelson Technical Center can assist in designing pallets to meet your shipping requirements. 8/7/2017 12:06:18 pm
Good morning Jed, the best type of wood you can use for pallets depends on what you are using the pallets for. A low cost pallet requirement would require different lumber than an heavy duty export pallet with moisture concerns. What types of products are you placing on the pallets? How much would they weigh?
Kenny
10/10/2017 04:24:11 pm
Are the oak pallets made with either red and white oak varieties? 10/18/2017 11:27:47 am
Good morning Kenny, yes the pallets can be made with a variety of red and white oak lumber. Generally pallet shops do not species sort the oak lumber from the sawmills, so either can be used sometimes on the same pallet. Pallet shops often separate their hardwood lumber based on density in case a customer needs a slightly stronger pallet made from a higher density wood such as oak. Do you have a requirement that one type of oak would work better than the other for?
MinSein
11/3/2017 01:16:33 am
Just want to know the origin of rubber wood shipping pallets abd their density compare to oak.
Jonathan Haynes
11/6/2017 02:34:25 pm
Good afternoon MinSein, I'm not familiar with rubber wood used for pallets. Do you have pallets that are made from rubber wood? I did a quick search on the density of the wood and would rate it around 60% the strength of oak.
Waris
11/6/2017 01:18:06 pm
I would like to get information/price about soft wood, Humidity ( KD not less than 12% moisture or Air Dried.
Jonathan Haynes
11/6/2017 03:10:16 pm
Waris, I will contact you regarding the lumber. Thank you for your interest.
Giovanna
2/28/2018 08:31:29 am
Good morning :) i would like to know which kind of wood for pallets would be better to use for the structure (floor and walls too) of a tiny house 3/27/2018 03:00:39 pm
Hello Giovanna, for any structural use such as building homes, I would recommend buying dimension lumber from a building supply store instead of using pallet lumber. I would recommend some type of dried lumber that would have the moisture content below 19% to prevent additional drying and dimensional changes in the boards. When the lumber is dry, the boards won't shrink and swell like they do when the moisture content is above 30%. Kiln dried pine is a good choice for building homes and is now commonly used in pallet production. The lumber from pallets can also have nails and chemicals in the lumber which would make it unsafe for a house. Thank you for your question.
mikey
3/26/2018 08:00:00 pm
What is a chep pallet made of? and can it be used for food products 3/27/2018 03:04:35 pm
Mikey, I've seen many chep pallets that were made from pine lumber. They can be used for handling food products, but I wouldn't recommend them for direct food contact. Most pallets that are used with food products have a barrier of paper or plastic between the food and the pallet. Even plastic pallets need to be made of specific resins to allow for direct food contact. How are you transporting the food products now?
Raymond Smith
4/4/2018 05:30:27 am
Hello, 4/10/2018 12:47:51 pm
Raymond, there are many factors that can go into the price of a pallet. Geographic location, the size and quantity of boards used in the construction of the pallet, the quantity of pallets per order, and many other smaller factors. Could you write into our website on the following link and provide your contact information?
Gene
4/17/2018 01:42:57 pm
Hi Jonathan, where do pallet manufacturers get their wood from? 4/18/2018 06:51:52 am
Hello Gene, most pallet manufacturers get their lumber from sawmills or logging operations that are nearby their pallet plants to save on freight costs. Many pallet mills are now having to search further away from their plant to keep up with their demand for material.
Rao
6/9/2018 10:38:49 am
Good evening Jonathan. I would like to know the difference between pine and spruce wood. Can spruce wood be an alternative for pallets? What’s the price difference between these two 6/11/2018 09:40:59 am
Hello Rao, spruce and pine could be easily interchangeable for pallet parts. Spruce is less dense than southern yellow pine though and wouldn't yield as good of strength numbers. Given the correct pallet design though, pallets made of spruce can be strong. The price differences between the two would vary more on geographic location than anything. Spruce should be less expensive in areas where it grows more commonly than other types of pine. What style of pallets are you looking to use spruce for?
VIJAY JEYARAMAN
6/10/2018 09:47:41 am
How many pallets could be produced from a tree? An average value would be enough for us to see how many trees we are cutting down by the number of pallets we are using annually. 6/11/2018 09:48:44 am
Vijay, I appreciate your question. We have looked into this question in another one of our blog topics. It is very difficult to estimate how many pallets come out of a tree as the size of trees can vary as much as the size and design of pallets. I would estimate around 4 new pallets could be produced from each 10' log with a 14" small end diameter.
mahesh
6/22/2018 12:32:56 am
Hi, Jonathan,
Jonathan Haynes
6/22/2018 12:42:58 pm
Greetings Mahesh, could you contact us thru our main page at www.nelsoncompany.com? There are many factors that could result in the pallets breaking. I would need a little more info to make a better evaluation. You could also contact me directly at [email protected].
Chris
8/20/2018 09:33:52 pm
Trying to determine what “North Eastern Hardwood” means. For example Poplar could be considered a hardwood but is often softer than pine. Could a pallet company make a pallet out of poplar and sell it as a hard wood pallet? 8/21/2018 09:07:19 am
Hello Chris, I appreciate your question about the hardwood classification. The term north eastern hardwoods is referring to hardwood trees grown in the northeast region of the United States of America. Poplar is technically a hardwood tree, however it's density is often softer than certain pines or softwoods. Poplar is a very commonly used hardwood lumber in pallets and can be sold as a hard wood pallet, however it's density and strength properties should be taken into account when designing the pallet specification. Are you currently using pallets made from poplar? Please let me know if I can be of further help
John Herzig
11/30/2018 03:47:54 pm
Hi Jon,
Nelson Blog Team
12/4/2018 12:41:58 pm
Thanks for your question, John. Since more details (and possibly photos) are needed to provide the best answer to your question, Jonathan has reached out to you directly.
Trey W
3/7/2019 09:15:00 am
What type of wood pallet would you recommend for gaylord cardboard box with plastic resin to sit on? The pallet size is 45 x 45 and product can weight from 1500 to 2000 pounds. Moisture can be an issue as well as we triple stack these boxes over long periods of time due to being a storage and distribution facility. Want the least amount of wood bowing over time.
Nelson Blog Team
3/7/2019 10:41:18 am
Great question, Trent and thanks for providing detailed information about your gaylord application. Jonathan is reaching out to you directly to determine the best wood pallet.
VIjay kumar M
3/25/2019 01:17:09 am
Which type of wooden pallet will be better for selective pallet racking in warehouse, pinewood pallet or Eucalyptus wood pallet ?
Jonathan Haynes
3/25/2019 04:35:40 pm
Hello Vijay, either type of wood can be used to build the pallets. If the pallets are designed properly for the density of the wood, then either species of wood could be used. Having one species that would be a better fit, would likely come down to factors such as pricing, size of lumber available, or other warehouse specific needs. Pine and eucalyptus are similar in density, therefore their strength ratings should be similar.
Nakia
11/6/2019 02:04:22 pm
I have a bunch of pallets that came from overseas. Not sure where. But i want to know what species they are. I was told mahogany but i question since mahogany is not cheap or abundant these days. Thanks in advance. I can send pictures if it helps.
Hello! 5/12/2020 06:37:46 pm
Hello Lisa, I appreciate the question but I do not have any experience selling standing timber. You might try contacting a sawmill or logging company in your area and ask them to make an offer on the trees. I think the length and diameter of the trees would play a big part in the value of the logs that could be generated. Good luck and let me know if I could of any further help.
Danny Farrer
10/10/2020 04:39:46 pm
I have a customer requesting pallets for coils. The configuration is 2 - 1"x6" deck boards 36" over 2 - 3"x4" runners 36". They are nailed together much like a hashtag shape. They are used to set heavy coil steel rolls on them on end like a drink can. Since all the stress on the pallet will be compression strength will SYP perform just as well as mixed hardwoods?
Casie
3/12/2022 09:36:31 am
How can you tell if a pallet is oak or pine? I want to use one I got for a countertop to build a cage for a chinchilla and I wanna make sure it’s pine 😬 Leave a Reply. |
Call Us: (410) 477-3000
Headquartered in Baltimore since 1918 Nelson Company is a trusted source for pallets & packaging materials.
NelsonCompany.com 
Is your packaging system costing more than it should? Find out how you can start saving with an analysis from Nelson Technical Center.
Our own web-based software for reverse distribution. Nelson-ART™ manages the entire life-cycle of your packaging assets.
|
RSS Feed
Tech CenterThe Nelson Technical Center finds savings. Solutions for the design, supply and recovery of transport packaging.
(443) 649-1049 |
Wood SalesCustom wooden pallets and crates are our specialty. Ask us about wood manufacturing, repair and recycling.
(410) 477-3000 |
|
