When I started researching a pellet smoker 6 months before I bought one over 3 years ago, I read in two forums and one .www that Treager pellets were different from the East/West coast. East used Oak as the base, West used Alder. That was because of the cost of the wood.
They used some sort of 'essence' to flavor each wood. So, the mix on the West coast would be Alder (not the best BTU wood) and then add 'apple flavor' to make apple pellets.
I ask because I need to know, I'm a science guy. And locally I buy Lumberjack at $15 per 20 lb bag if I buy 6+.
Someone being an expert please let me know. Rumors and beliefs don't count. Keep it science please.
I dunno, maybe Traeger does it right now. But nothing on the .www they have now states anything like it's real wood, just they grind it and add some veg oil to help make pellets.