Wood has several advantages as structural material. For this use to be applied in a safe way, it is necessary to know the statistical behavior of the mechanical properties. Some works and normative codes, such as the “Brazilian timber standard” (as well as its review project), accepts a normal distribution model for determining the characteristic value of compressive strength parallel to wood fiber, with the adoption of a coefficient of variation for this property equal to 18 %. This work evaluates the distribution model of compressive strength parallel to the fibers, as well as the coefficient of variation of this property. Tests and statistical treatment were performed in compression parallel to the fibers for 7 species of hardwood commonly found in Brazil. It was observed that the compressive strength of wood actually follows a normal distribution, and the adoption of an average coefficient of variation equal to 18 % is acceptable and in favor of safety.