Pallet, Tie & Pulpwood Log Prices 2026
What low-grade logs are actually worth · $/MBF Doyle & $/ton
Not every log is veneer — most aren’t. Here’s the honest bottom half of the market: what pallet mills, tie buyers, pulp mills, and firewood processors pay in 2026, and when hauling low-grade wood is worth your diesel.
Pallet log prices by species (June 2026)
| Species | Pallet / #3 grade | For comparison: #1–#2 sawlog |
|---|---|---|
| White Oak | $145–$290/MBF | $370–$900/MBF |
| Black Walnut | $145–$290/MBF | $500–$1,500/MBF |
| Red Oak | $115–$250/MBF | $245–$520/MBF |
| Hard Maple | $155–$370/MBF | $310–$560/MBF |
| Yellow Poplar | $105–$290/MBF | $285–$560/MBF |
| Hickory | $140–$275/MBF | $255–$540/MBF |
| Ash | $140–$275/MBF | $310–$610/MBF |
| Cherry | $110–$275/MBF | $255–$410/MBF |
| Mixed / misc. hardwoods | $32–$290/MBF | $145–$265/MBF |
Railroad tie logs — the step above pallet
Tie mills buy mostly oak (red and white), cut 8'6" and longer, and they care about a straight, sound heart more than pretty faces. A log too knotty for grade lumber can still make a tie, which is why tie logs bring roughly $250–$450/MBF delivered — solidly above pallet money. White oak ties top the band. If you’re decking mixed oak, sort tie-length sound logs separately from true pallet culls: the sort takes minutes and moves real dollars.
Pulpwood — the floor of the market
Pulp and chip mills buy small, crooked, and cull wood by the ton. Delivered hardwood pulpwood in the Appalachian/Southeast region commonly runs $25–$45/ton, and landowner stumpage is often just $2–$12/ton — local markets vary widely, so check with the nearest pulp or chip mill before hauling. Pulpwood exists so that tops, culls, and thinnings have an outlet, not a good one.
Often-better alternative: firewood processors pay for sound low-grade hardwood in many areas — and a cord of split, seasoned hardwood retails for far more than its pulp value. If you have volume, see the firewood processing directory, or list firewood logs free on the marketplace.
Before you call it junk — check the load
The most expensive mistake in low-grade wood is selling a good log at cull money. One straight, clean 16" white oak butt log in a pallet load is worth more than the rest of the load combined if it grades F2 — and stave or veneer buyers pay 10–40× pallet rates. Photograph the best-looking logs and run them through the free AI Log Grader (USFS NE-1 rules — see the grade chart) before the whole deck goes to the pallet mill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are pallet logs worth?
In the June 2026 Kentucky-region market, pallet-grade hardwood logs bring roughly $105-$370/MBF delivered depending on species: oak $115-$290, hard maple up to $370, poplar $105-$290, with mixed miscellaneous hardwoods at the bottom of the band. It isn't glamorous money, but pallet mills buy steadily and take the crooked, knotty logs no one else wants - by the load, not the log.
How much are railroad tie logs worth?
Tie logs - mostly oak, 8'6\" or longer with a sound heart - typically bring about $250-$450/MBF delivered in the Appalachian market, sitting between pallet and #2 sawlog money. White oak ties run at the top of the band. Tie buyers care about a straight, sound core more than clear faces, so a log too knotty for grade lumber can still make a tie.
What are pulpwood prices per ton?
Pulpwood is sold by weight, not board feet. Regional markets vary widely, but delivered hardwood pulpwood in the Appalachian and Southeast markets commonly runs $25-$45 per ton, while the stumpage a landowner receives is often only $2-$12 per ton. With roughly 8-9 tons per MBF-equivalent, pulpwood is the floor of the log market - the outlet for tops, culls, and small stems.
Is low-grade wood worth hauling at all?
By the load, usually yes; by the log, usually no. At $150/MBF a full tri-axle load (~4-5 MBF) grosses $600-$750, which clears hauling on a short trip. A pickup with two pallet logs does not. Two ways to beat the math: sell to closer, smaller outlets (firewood processors often pay more per ton than pulp mills for sound hardwood), and always check a 'junk' load for the one straight butt log that grades higher - one F2 white oak in a pallet load can double the ticket.
Related Reading
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