Objective To investigate the energy absorption capacity of hard pine wood with different moisture content. Methods Across-compression tests were carried out. Results The radial across-compressive stress-strain curve of hard pine was composed of three stages, which were linear elasticity region, platform region and densification region. The proportional limit stress of radial across-compression was higher than that of tangential across-compression. When the absolute moisture content was 13.1% , the energy absorption capacity of radial across-compression and cushioning coefficient were 3.919 MJ· m3 and 2.847 at 0.55 strain, respectively. The energy absorption capacity of tangential across-compression and cushioning coefficient were only 0.472 MJ· m3 and 12.746 at 0.11 strain, respectively. Meanwhile, the wood was completely destroyed. When the absolute moisture content decreased, the across-compressive stress, energy absorption capacity and maximum energy absorption efficiency of radial across-compression were increased. The maximum across-compression strength， energy absorption capacity and energy absorption of radial across-compression were 10.15 MPa， 4.430 MJ· m3 and 0.362%, respectively. However， the energy absorption efficiency of tangential across-compression was decreased when the moisture content decreased. Conclusion The energy absorption capacity of wood was influenced by the absolute moisture content and the direction of wood grain.