The selection of a wood flame retardant system is closely related to its pyrolysis characteristics.To provide theoretical bases for thermal degradation and flame retardant system selection, the chemical composition and thermo gravimetric（TG） analysis experiments were conducted on the wood of teak（Tectona grandis） and catalpa（Catalpa bungei） from plantations, as well as using wood samples of Chinese fir（Cunninghamia lanceolata） and radiata pine（Pinus radiata） as control groups. The pyrolysis characteristics, thermal degradation kinetic models and parameters were explored. The results showed that:1) the pyrolysis process of the four wood species could be divided into four stages: water loss, transition,severe degradation and char-forming; 2) the temperature under maximum decomposition rate, activation energy and activation factor of teak and catalpa were lower than those of Chinese fir and radiata pine. The teak and catalpa wood are suitable for a flame retardant system with relatively lower thermal decomposition temperature.