Wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) was prepared by impregnating Simul (Salmalia malabarica) wood with styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), glycidyl methacrylate(GMA), and a reactive polymerizable surfactant modified montmorillonite (MMT). The physical and mechanical properties of WPNC were investigated by using XRD, tensile tester, SEM, and FTIR. The polymer loading, dimensional stability, water uptake, mechanical property, and thermal stability were found to improve due to inclusion of MMT. SEM micrographs showed the presence of polymer and MMT into cell wall and cell lumen. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of MMT and SAN in WPNC. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 2099-2109, 2011