Benzyl chloride was used to modify wood powder to improve wood and plastic compatibility for better bonding.Benzylated wood powder was tested for surface free energy,polarity,and thermoplasticity and wood-plastic composites were evaluated for tensile and flexural strengths.The results indicated that benzylated wood powder had low free energy and polarity that improved compatibility with plastic.It was also observed that the wood/plastic composite made with benzylated modified wood had higher strengths.