Wooden pallets are the backbone of modern supply chains, and the 48×40 GMA pallet is the standard size in North America. But have you ever wondered: how many pallets can be made from just one tree?
The answer isn’t fixed. It depends on the size of the tree, the species, and how the lumber is cut. With U.S. forestry data and standard pallet specifications, we can put together a clear picture.
How Much Wood Goes Into a 48×40 Pallet?
A standard 48×40 GMA pallet requires about 10 to 12 board feet (bd ft) of lumber. A board foot is a measurement of volume equal to 1 inch × 12 inches × 12 inches. That means every pallet starts with a significant portion of a log, shaped into deck boards and stringers.
How Much Lumber Comes From One Tree and How Many Pallets Can it Produce?
Trees are measured in board feet of merchantable lumber. A mid-sized harvested tree often yields around 320 board feet total. We get this number by calculating how many logs the average tree produces, and the amount of board feet per log using the Doyle Rule. These numbers are based on the logs and lumber Kamps produces in our very own sawmills across the Northeast.
- A standard log used in pallet production is a 14 inch diameter, 12 foot log that has anywhere between 80 to 91 board feet.
- The average mid-sized tree will produce about four of these logs.
- The average 48×40 GMA pallet utilizes about 10.3 board feet.
- One standard log will have enough board feet to produce around seven 48×40 GMA pallets (80 board feet divided by 10.3 board feet).
In summary, the average mid-sized tree can produce about 28 standard 48×4 GMA wooden pallets . If you are using smaller or larger pallets or different tree inputs, this range will vary. We have created a table below that breaks down the different commonly used types and how much board feet they usually require and cross referenced it with the average board feet generated by tree size for an easy guide.
Average Production Guide Per Tree
| Pallet Size | Average Board Feet Needed | Average Number of Pallets from One Tree |
| 48×40 GMA Standard | 10.3 | 31 |
| 48×40 GMA Wide-Lead (Premium) | 11.6 | 28 |
| 48×40 9-Block | 23.4 | 14 |
| 40×48 4-Way | 8.1 | 40 |
| 42×42 2-Way | 10.2 | 31 |
| 48×42 4-Way | 10.8 | 30 |
| 48×36 4-Way | 9.8 | 33 |
Assumptions: All pallets are softwood with top and bottom deck board thickness of 0.625 inches and stringer width of 1.250 inches. Changing the material from softwood to hardwood and adjusting the deck board thickness and stringer width will return different results in average number of pallets manufactured from trees. For calculation above, 320 board feet yield was used for mid-sized tree.
Why This Matters
Even large trees do not produce unlimited pallets. Every tree harvested represents a finite resource, which is why our industry places such a high priority on recycling and repair and supporting sustainable forest management practices. In fact, recycling programs in the U.S. save tens of millions of trees every year by extending the life of each product. Sustainable forest management initiatives have also increased forest areas in the United States by about 18 million acres between 1990 and 2020, offsetting a long history of deforestation.
At Kamps, we maximize the value of every tree. Our repair, reuse, and recycling programs keep our products in circulation longer, reducing the need for fresh lumber and supporting a more sustainable supply chain.
Key Takeaway
The average tree used for pallet manufacturing can produce about 30 standard 48×40 GMA pallets, depending on its size and yield. By repairing and recycling pallets, companies like Kamps ensure that each tree’s value extends far beyond its first use.
