A change in linear welding conditions, namely higher vibration frequency (150 Hz) and lower displacement (2 mm) during welding, produced a quicker rise in temperature of the weldline. This allowed a much shorter welding time (1.5 s). X-ray microdensitometry mapping showed a progressive increase in broadening and average density of the weldline as the welding time lengthens. As the welding time lengthens the maximum temperature reached at the end of welding is progressively higher. This causes increasingly greater degradation. This effect was confirmed also by CP-MAS (13)C NMR and it was found that the lower is the degree of deterioration of the weldline of the wood joint the shorter is the welding time. Monitoring of the temperature of the weldline showed that the temperature reached in wood joints during welding was inversely correlated to its water resistance. Furthermore, the increase in weldline temperature is markedly quicker at a vibration frequency of 150 Hz than at 100 Hz. Thus, the shorter is the welding time the lower is the degree of deterioration of the weldline of the wood joint. This appears to be due to welding occuring when water vapour is still present in the joint, hence providing a less damaging welding environment. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009