Wood used in pallets manufactured in the United States, 1982

Abstract

This paper reports results of a cooperative study by the USDA Forest Service, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and Tuskegee Institute. The study was designed to provide statistically reliable information on national and regional use of wood in pallets, by species and pallet type. An estimated 17 fbm of wood was required to produce a finished pallet; the finished pallet contained 12.7 fbm of wood. This is less wood per pallet than had previously been thought. Significant differences in wood use exist between regions. Pallets from the Northeast and North Central regions contain less wood than those from other regions, and are made almost entirely from hardwood lumber. Southern pallets are intermediate in wood content and are made with more softwood lumber than those from the Northeast or North Central regions. Pallets made in the West contain the most wood, on average, and are made mainly from softwood lumber. An estimated 3.8 billion board feet of lumber and other wood products were consumed by the U.S. pallet industry in 1982, more than 80 percent of which was hardwood lumber. Reuseable pallet production required 2.3 billion board feet; expendable pallet production 1.5 billion board feet. More wood was consumed in the South than any other region (1.5 billion board feet), followed closely by the North Central region (1.2 billion board feet). Consumption in the Northeast and West regions was nearly equal at 0.8 and 0.5 billion board feet respectively.

Citation

McKeever, D. B.; McCurdy, D. R.; Kung, F. H.; Ewers, J. T. Wood used in pallets manufactured in the United States. 1982. (Resource bulletin FPL ; 17):13 p.