The maximum load only is taken and the result expressed in pounds per square inch of width.

A piece one-half inch thick is split off parallel to the failure and used for moisture determination.
TENSION TEST PARALLEL TO THE GRAIN Since the tensile strength of wood parallel to the grain is greater than the compressive strength, and exceedingly greater than the shearing strength, it is very difficult to make satisfactory tension tests, as the head and shoulders of the test specimen (which is subjected to both compression and shear) must be stronger than the portion subjected to a pure tensile stress.
Various designs of test specimens have been made.

The one first employed by the Division of Forestry[61] was prepared as follows: Sticks were cut measuring 1.5" X 2.5" X 16".

The thickness at the centre was then reduced to three-eighths of an inch by cutting out circular segments with a band saw.

This left a breaking section of 2.5" X 0.375".