Mixed hardwood is the standard hardwood lumber blend used in US pallet manufacturing.
Detailed Definition
Mixed hardwood is pallet lumber cut from whatever hardwood species a mill processes, rather than from one species. Typical species include oak, maple, hickory, elm, ash, gum and yellow-poplar, often mixed within one load and even one pallet. It is economical because much of it comes from lower-grade logs and the center cants left after higher-grade boards are cut for other markets. Mixed hardwood is most common where hardwood forests are, especially the eastern US, while Southern and Western pallet makers often use more softwood.
Why species mix matters
Different hardwoods vary in density, stiffness and how they split. Oak and hickory are dense and hard, while gum and yellow-poplar are lighter and softer. In a mixed hardwood pallet, the performance depends on the weakest parts. Design tools often treat mixed hardwood as a group with conservative properties, and some buyers exclude the softest species from stringers or require a minimum density group for heavy loads.
Practical notes for buyers
- Mixed hardwood pallets are heavier than softwood pallets of similar design, which matters for manual handling and freight weight.
- Most are built from green lumber, so they can shrink, check and grow mold in closed, warm conditions.
- Dense hardwoods split more easily if nails are driven too close to board ends, so nail placement matters.
- For export, mixed hardwood must be debarked, heat treated and marked under ISPM 15 like any other wood.
If consistency matters, ask the supplier which species are normally in the mix and whether it changes with log supply, since the blend can shift between loads. See also mixed hardwood pallet.
Authoritative Sources
- Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association (HPVA): the trade association, now the Decorative Hardwoods Association, representing hardwood plywood and veneer manufacturers.
- US Forest Service (USFS): the federal agency that manages the National Forest System and reports on US lumber supply used in pallet production.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Which species are in mixed hardwood pallet lumber?
It depends on the region and the mill's log supply. Common species include red and white oak, soft and hard maple, hickory, ash, elm, sweetgum, yellow-poplar, beech and birch. Mills generally do not sort pallet stock by species, so one load can contain several. If your application needs specific properties, such as excluding the lightest species from stringers, write that into the specification and confirm the supplier can sort for it.
Is mixed hardwood stronger than Southern Yellow Pine for pallets?
Not necessarily. Many hardwoods are denser and hold nails well, which helps durability, but Southern Yellow Pine is strong and stiff for its weight. A pallet's capacity depends on the species group plus board thickness, number of stringers, nails and support conditions. Engineering tools can compare designs in each material for your load, which is more reliable than assuming one species group always wins.