A novel fast-growing poplar wood, Populus ussuriensis Kom, was prepared into wood-polymer composite by the in situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene through a vacuum/pressure and subsequent catalyst-thermal process. scanning electron microscopy observation, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermogravimetric/derivative thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the resulted polymer well filled up wood cell lumen in an amorphous form and reinforced wood matrix, which resulted in the improvement of glass transition temperature, storage modulus, and thermal stability of wood. The decay resistance and dimensional stability of wood were also improved. Such wood-based composite could be potentially used as reinforced material in construction fields. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 128:13-20, 2013