Plantation grown populus tomentosa lumber was dried using three different methods: air drying,conventional drying,and high temperature drying.The mechanical properties of the dried lumber were evaluated and the effects of the different drying methods on the lumber performance were examined and compared.The mechanical properties measured in this study included modulus of elasticity（MOE）,modulus of Rupture（MOR）,toughness,and hardness,The results showed that both of the average MOE and MOR values of the three drying methods were about the same,but the average values of toughness and hardness were evidently influenced by high temperature drying.The results would help lumber drying manufacturers to choose a reasonable drying method to improve the value of plantation grown poplar lumber.