Glycerol stearate was synthesized by esterifica-tion with non-toxic, inexpensive glycerol and stearic acid. The composite of glycerol stearate and Pinus radiata wood was prepared by vacuum impregnation. By Fourier trans-form infrared (FTIR) analysis, there was the generation of new C=O stretching vibration band of glycerol stearate in comparison with stearic acid. This confirms that glycerol stearate was successfully synthesized. The weight gain, FTIR spectrum and morphological analyses of the com-posite indicate that glycerol stearate was impregnated into the interior lumina of the cells. Thermal analysis showed that the maximal degradation temperature of the composite was 42 °C higher than untreated wood. Contact angle images indicated that the value of the composite was 134.2°. Hydrophobicity (the repulsion of water) of the composite was stronger than glycerol stearate, which a large number of hydroxyl of wood reacted with the oxy-gen-containing groups of glycerol stearate, improved hydrophobicity and thermal stability, thereby enhancing the potential application of P. radiata wood.