In the present paper, several visual and physical strength and stiffness related indicators are investigated concerning their influence on the tensile strength and stiffness of European beech timber boards. Besides well-known visual characteristics, such as knots and bark inclusions, further ones are analysed. Destructive tensile tests on 150 timber boards were performed in order to determine the actual tensile strength and the static modulus of elasticity. By means of correlation analysis, the efficiency of the indicators is evaluated and the most important ones are identified. The results of this investigation can contribute to a better understanding of the behaviour of European beech timber under tensile loading which is considered the basis for strength grading and thus for an optimal utilization of the mechanical potential of European beech timber.