Research on the performance of timber structures to the effect of blast loading is very limited and a holistic and systematic approach is needed. A comprehensive research program has therefore been developed at the University of Ottawa to investigate the performance of various structural timber systems when subjected to blast loads. This paper reports on some of the key findings from the experimental and analytical work since the beginning of this program. Significant results on the effect of strain rate on the material behaviour, failure modes, as well as various retrofit options are discussed. The assessment has paved the way to the development of code provisions that would allow the design of new, and retrofit of existing timber structures.