This study deals with beech and oak wood modified to become pliable. It is important to know the highest compressibility ratio because this makes it easier to adapt the modification ratio to a specific bending requirement. Hungarian logs were used from different locations. After sample preparation, they were stored frozen to preserve their moisture content. In each case, the specimens were steamed for 45 min and then compressed along the grain (aka. pleating) at a rate of 25%/min in a heated compression machine, followed by a fixation period for 1 min. The ratio of compression was carried out up to the preset value or until something unusual was observed on the graph plotted by the software of the material testing machine. All pleated samples were visually inspected and graded for any damage that may have occurred. The level of pleating was considered adequate if at least 90% of the specimens could withstand compression without damage. The highest compression ratio is 30% for beech, 27–28% for oak sapwood and 20–21% for oak heartwood. Thus, diffuse porous hardwood species have significantly higher compressibility than ring-porous hardwoods. Oak sapwood is easier to compress due to its different density, and chemical structure, etc. Logs of the same species but from different locations can bear pleating differently.