The treated specimens were subjected to moisture adsorption, water absorption, swelling, and mechanical properties testing. The results revealed a notable decrease in ultimate moisture content and water uptake of the samples, provided they were impregnated with a hydrophobic ionic liquid before heat treatment at temperatures less than 200 8C. However, the mechanical properties testing showed that the elastic and rupture moduli of specimens decreased with increasing treatment temperature and time irrespective of using ionic liquids. However, the impregnated samples suffered in general increased breakability which was ascribed to partial solubilization of wood components in the ionic liquid.