Drying characteristics of European Beech （ Fagus sylvatica ） were analysed by using 100℃ test. The results showed that the drying rate was just more than moderate. There was a slight distortion in cross section of boards. The amount of initial check and internal check was in medium degree, but the lengths and widths of the checks were in light degree. There was a great difference in drying shrinkage of boards between tangential and radial directions.