Different techniques - Schmidt's test on wood shavings; Wolcot standard test with sand; Skaife box; test of preference; and starvation test - were used to measure wood resistance to the termite Porotermes quadricollis (Rambur). Species were arranged into three groups according to their termite resistance: Low: Monterrey pine (natural) (Pinus radiata D.Don), Manio (Podocarpus saligna D.Don), and Olivillo Aetoxicon punctatum Ruiz et Pavon. Middle: Alerce Fitzroya cupressoides (Molina), agglomerate Monterrey pine, Rauli Nothophagus alpina Poepp. et Endl., and Roble Nothophagus obliqua (Mirbel). High: Laurel Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz et Pavon), Araucaria Araucaria araucana (Molina), and Lingue Persea lingue (Ruiz et Pavon). Among the untreated woods, Laurel showed the highest resistance to termite damage. Monterrey pine treated with Boliden (R) salts (K33, 6 kg x m(-3)) was highly toxic to termites. Individuals that fed on treated wood did not live significantly longer than termites from the starvation test. Black feces and damaged exoskeleton shows the effect of intoxication. According to the amount of wood consumed in 30 days by 50 termites, resistance to termites was: 0.247 a - 0.232 Pinus Monterrey and Manio; 2.206 g -0.187 g Lingue, Coigue, Rauli, Alerce, Araucaria; 0.179 g- 0.077 g Laurel, Ulmo and Olivillo.