The bearing strength of Hem-Fir MSR lumber has increased from 11 to 38% over the previous bearing strength values. The upgraded design values will be published in the upcoming supplement to the Canadian Engineered Wood Design code, CSA-O96.1-M94. This code change was assisted in part by data developed in this project on the bearing strength of Hem-Fir. This code change, although it did not affect the bearing strength of visually grade Hem-Fir lumber, is significant to the utilisation of Hem-Fir MSR lumber in the Canadian market. Grades of MSR Hem-Fir lumber 1650f-1.5E or higher now have the same bearing strength values as S-P-F MSR lumber. This simplifies the design code when MSR lumber is specified and allows the full potential of MSR Hem-Fir lumber to be used in engineered wood applications such as trusses. Additional data are being collected on the performance of Hem-Fir lumber under constant loads. This data will create a data base on Hem-Fir lumber similar to that developed for S-P-F and D.Fir-L in 1993-1994.