Abstract: An adhesive is applied to high strength fiber reinforcements and the first and second wood strands so that they together form a wood segment. Before the adhesive is cured, a simultaneous tension force is applied to the fiber reinforcements and an equilibrium compression force is applied to the first and second wood strands. The adhesive is cured while maintaining the tension force to the fiber reinforcements and the compression force to the wood strands. The prestressed wood composite laminate is attached to a tension zone of a wood member. The wood member has a tension zone and a compression zone so that a neutral plane is disposed between the tension zone and the compression zone.