Pallet Wood Types

The two broad categories of wood used in pallet construction are hardwood (from deciduous trees that lose their leaves) and softwood(from coniferous trees that remain green year-round). Despite the names, “hardwood” and “softwood” do not always correspond to actual hardness — balsa is technically a hardwood, while southern yellow pine (a softwood) is denser than many hardwoods. In the pallet industry, though, the distinction is practical and meaningful because it affects strength, weight, cost, and workability.

Hardwood pallets are generally stronger, more durable, and more resistant to surface damage. They are the preferred choice for heavy loads, multi-trip use, and applications where the pallet must survive repeated handling without significant wear. The trade-offs are higher material cost, heavier tare weight (which increases freight expense), and greater difficulty in nailing and repair.

Softwood pallets are lighter, less expensive, easier to manufacture, and perfectly adequate for most standard loads. Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) is the dominant softwood species in U.S. pallet production, accounting for the majority of new pallet lumber. Softwood pallets are the default choice when weight savings, cost control, and ease of repair are priorities.

Many pallets, especially recycled ones, use a mix of hardwood and softwood. This is common because recycled pallets are built from whatever lumber is available in the repair facility’s inventory. Mixed pallets perform well for most applications and are typically less expensive than all-hardwood construction.

Pallet wood availability varies significantly by geography. Pallet manufacturers typically use whatever species grow within a 150-200 mile radius of their facility to minimize lumber transportation costs. Understanding regional wood availability helps explain why pallets from different parts of the country look and perform differently.

Southeast U.S. (TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC): Southern Yellow Pine dominates, accounting for 70-80% of pallet lumber produced in this region. Hardwoods available include red and white oak, poplar, and sweetgum. This is the highest-volume pallet production region in the country due to abundant SYP plantations.

Northeast & Appalachian (PA, NY, WV, VA, OH, KY): Hardwood-dominant region. Oak (red and white) is the most common pallet wood, followed by hard maple, ash, poplar, and cherry. This region produces the majority of hardwood pallet lumber in the U.S. and is the primary source for premium oak pallets.

Great Lakes (MI, WI, MN): Mixed hardwood and softwood availability. Hard maple, birch, red oak, and aspen are the primary hardwoods. Jack pine and red pine are common softwoods. This region produces many pallets with mixed-species construction.

Pacific Northwest (OR, WA, Northern CA): Douglas Fir and hem-fir are the dominant species. Alder is the primary hardwood. Cedar is available but rarely used for standard pallets. Softwood pallets from this region tend to be lighter than SYP pallets from the Southeast.

California: As a major import hub, California uses pallets made from a wide variety of species sourced from across the country and internationally. Local production relies on Douglas Fir, white fir, and some pine. Recycled pallets in California are particularly likely to be mixed-species due to the diverse origins of pallets entering the state via ports and rail terminals.

ISPM-15 heat treatmentrequires raising the core temperature of pallet wood to 56°C (132.8°F) and holding it there for a minimum of 30 minutes. All common pallet wood species are compatible with heat treatment, but they respond differently:

Softwoods (SYP, Spruce, Pine) heat more quickly and evenly than hardwoods because they are less dense and contain more air space in their cellular structure. A softwood pallet typically reaches the required core temperature 20-30% faster than an equivalent hardwood pallet, reducing kiln time and energy costs. This is one reason softwood pallets are preferred for high-volume export programs where heat treatment is mandatory.

Hardwoods (Oak, Maple)take longer to heat to the core but retain heat better once treated. The denser cellular structure also means hardwoods are less likely to re-absorb moisture after treatment, which is important for maintaining the treatment’s effectiveness during transit and storage.

Green (unseasoned) wood of any species takes significantly longer to heat treat than kiln-dried wood because the moisture must be driven off before the core temperature can reach the target. If you need heat-treated pallets on a tight timeline, kiln-dried lumber is the better starting material.

SD Re Pallet operates in-house heat treatment kilns capable of processing both softwood and hardwood pallets. We can heat treat any pallet we sell and stamp it with the IPPC compliance mark for international shipping.