From deciduous trees (oak, maple, birch, aspen). Denser and stronger than softwoods, making them ideal for heavy-duty pallets.
From coniferous trees (pine, fir, spruce). Lighter and more pliable, often used for lighter-duty pallets or when cost efficiency is key.
New wood directly from felled trees (unprocessed).
Salvaged from old pallets, crates, or other wood structures and re-milled for reuse.
Composites formed from wood strands, particles, or fibers with adhesives.
Heated to 56°C (133°F) for 30 minutes to meet ISPM 15 standards, killing pests and pathogens. Stamped “HT” for export compliance.
Treated against insects, fungi, and rot. Older treatments (e.g., Methyl Bromide, MB) are now restricted, with heat treatment as the preferred method.
Boards forming the pallet’s top and bottom surfaces.
Longitudinal members supporting deck boards; often notched for forklift entry.
Solid wood pieces used in block pallets to allow four-way forklift entry.
Any individual lumber piece—stringers, deck boards, blocks.
Percentage of water in wood by weight. Affects strength, mold risk, and warping.
Fiber alignment; impacts strength and splitting tendencies.
Separation along the grain, caused by drying or fastening stress.
Small surface cracks from uneven drying.
Distortion from moisture changes:
Surface discoloration from fungi. Typically aesthetic, not structural.
Fungal decomposition that weakens wood.
Loose wood pieces or bracing used to stabilize cargo during transport.
Lumber Grade: Classification of wood by quality and strength; lower grades acceptable for pallets where appearance is secondary.
Species with higher density, offering maximum strength.
Balance of strength and lightweight handling.
Cutting stringers for forklift entry.
Beveling deck board edges to ease forklift entry and reduce splintering.
Lumber cut and sized specifically for pallet use.
Byproduct of cutting, often repurposed in presswood pallets.
