This paper presents the results of some vibro-acoustical experiments conduc
ted on logs of spruce. The aim from this study was in the beginning to stud
y the possibilities of investigating acoustically the presence of decay in
the stems of standing trees, and for assessing the strength of wood in the
shape of logs. First, a brief review is made for the different experimental
techniques used in studying the response of mechanical systems in general
with emphasis on an efficient technique used for evaluating the impulse res
ponse of vibrating systems. Then a literature survey on the effects of deca
y on the strength and on the damping properties of wood are presented with
some practical general implications regarding decay inspection of wood comp
osites. Lastly some experiments using vibrations and sound which were condu
cted on two specimens of wood logs, one sound and one decayed, are presente
d with some discussions regarding the implementations of these methods for
the quality grading and defect detection in wood logs and standing trees.