Where Does Wood Pallet Lumber Really Come From? The Answer May Surprise You.

Where does wood pallet lumber really come from?When we dispelled some common myths about the wood pallet industry, we revealed an answer that might have surprised you.

Pallet lumber comes from a variety of sources but is mainly a byproduct of wood needed for other markets.

The markets that trees are originally harvested for are: veneer production, grade lumber, furniture and paper. Any logs that are not deemed suitable for these more discerning markets could be sawn and sold as pallet lumber.  

Logs are sorted based on the species, size and amount of defects. Defects can include:   

• knots 
• crook (a warping along the edge of the wood)
• twist (a distortion in which the two ends do not lie on the same plane)
• mechanical issues related to how the log was cut

Whatever type of lumber you prefer, remember that pallet lumber is a byproduct. The pallet industry does not cut down trees to make pallets.

Pallet manufacturers actually maximize a tree’s value by using any lumber left over from other industries. Trees are a renewable resource and are a crop to be harvested. When one tree is cut down, two more are planted to replace it. We understand the importance of trees to our business.

It’s simple – without trees we would not have an industry. 
 
Have you ever considered where pallet lumber came from? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below. 

Post by: Jonathan Haynes, Nelson Sale Representative