Abstract Numerical and experimental studies involving the double cantilever beam test to estimate the resistance-curve under mode I loading in wood (Pinus pinaster Ait. – RL fracture system) are presented. Two data reduction schemes based on the specimen compliance and crack equivalent concept are proposed to obtain accurate values of fracture energy. The methods do not require crack length monitoring and mitigate the influence of scatter of wood elastic properties on the measured fracture energy. A finite element analysis to validate the proposed methodologies was performed. Good agreement was achieved in both cases, especially for one case. Experimental tests were also carried out to determine the fracture energy of this wood species. Application of both data reduction schemes provided consistent values.