Lime wood, spruce and pine are investigated with regard to its hygro-mechanical long-term behaviour. Experiments are conducted for an identification of model parameters and for model validation. Swelling and shrinkage coefficients, dry density, sorption characteristics and parameters for visco-elasticity, visco-plasticity and mechano-sorption are determined for the main material directions. Supplemented by literature values, a complete set of parameters for long-term hygro-mechanical modelling of wood species is found. Constrained swelling and shrinkage are analysed and the origin of the stress development is investigated. It is demonstrated, that creep phenomena lead to significant stress reduction by relaxation, in case of moisture changes especially due to mechano-sorption. The influence of different model parts is investigated. A numerical parameter study shows the influence of several material parameters on the stress evolution. Experimental material investigations such as those presented here are essential for the application of numerical simulation methods for the prediction of material behaviour and for the assessment of deformations, stresses and damage potential of climatically loaded timber structures.