Abstract: A reinforced structural composite member includes a plurality of wood members with at least one recess in a first wood member facing another wood member and a generally rectangular fiber reinforcing composite member secured within the recess. The recesses are in the aggregate of lesser width than the wood members within which they are secured. In a preferred embodiment the aggregate width of the recesses is less than about 30 percent of the width of the wood member having the recesses. A suitable adhesive, which is preferably resorcinol or a phenol resorcinol-based adhesive, may be employed to secure the wood members to each other. The elongated fiber reinforcing composites may be adhesively secured within the recesses. Corresponding methods employing either preformed recesses or in situ formed recesses are provided.