The cellulose solvent system LiCl-dimethylacetamide has been used to dissolve kraft pulps prepared from pine and birch. The dissolved polymers were analyzed using size-exclusion chromatography combined with both RI- and UV-detection systems in order to monitor simultaneously the major wood polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin). Kraft pulps from birch were completely soluble in the solvent system and the pine kraft pulp about 80% soluble. Analyses of the kraft pulps strongly suggest that a considerable amount of the residual lignin is chemically linked to the high molecular weight cellulose in pine but not in birch. The presence of stable lignin-cellulose bonds will reduce the possibility of achieving a low kappa number by cooking. For comparison, sulphite and bisulphite pulps were also examined. Both pulps were soluble in the solvent system and analyses indicated that lignin-cellulose bonds also exist in these pulps although to a significantly lesser extent than in the pine kraft pulp