This article provides the results of a study about the properties of thermally modified wood of the Southern blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus L.) from Spanish plantations. Although this specie is mainly used for chipping to obtain boards and paper pulp, its high mechanical and strength properties provide great potential for structural use or different solid wood products. A comparison of the properties between thermally modified and twin natural wood produce some very interested data. Properties like durability or dimensional stability are improving considerately with thermal treatment. Some mechanical properties, like density or bending strength, are decreasing but owing to the high initial mechanical properties characteristic of this species, are less important and provide a greater potential for structural use. Rise in dimensional stability is important for weather unprotected products, in which dimensional variations can produce damage due to changing moisture conditions. The improvement of durability is important for products that require resistance against biotic organism, but are subject to environmental restrictions that exist with certain preservatives. Thermally modified wood therefore provides products with high quality, competitive prices compared to other products elaborated with tropical hardwood and do not risk its reuse or recycling at the end of their useful life.

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