The tension perpendicular-to-grain properties of eight North American hardwood species were determined and related to their anatomy. Stereological techniques based on countings of points and intersections were used to quantitatively characterize the anatomy of each species. Modulus of elasticity and proportional limit stress values were found to be more dependent on specific gravity than anatomy. However, the properties associated with failure were closely associated with anatomical features. Earlywood vessel area fraction negatively influenced radial maximum stress and strain, whereas the ray width and area fraction were positively related to the maximum radial properties. Analysis showed that the rays significantly affected the transverse stiffness
