Withdrawal and lateral resistance of wood screw in three hardwood species of beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and poplar (Populus deltoides 75/51) were studied. Measured values of ultimate withdrawal resistance of wood screws were compared with predicted values. Moreover, shear strength parallel to the grain of wood as an input parameter of the expression given by Eckelman was measured. Measured values of lateral resistance of wood screw connection were compared with predicted values of yield limit equations, and dowel bearing strength of wood as the input parameter of yield limit equations was measured. Results show that the expression by Eckelman gives a more accurate prediction than the expression given in NDS. Furthermore, yield limit equations accurately predicted observed yield mode, and in the three species lateral resistance was predicted lower than the measured values.