Ground Laurocerasus officinalis R. wood was liquefied in an autoclave with or without alkali additives such as NaOH and Na2CO3 at temperatures 523 +/- 5 and 623 +/- 5 K. The liquid products were extracted by a liquid-liquid extraction procedure using benzene, diethyl ether and 1-butanol as solvents. Maximum oil yields were obtained as 68.9% and 43.1% by using NaOH and Na2CO3, respectively at 3/5 alkali additive/sample ratios and at 623 +/- 5 K. The proximate analysis data and the higher heating value (HHV) of the sample were also determined. The HHV of the sample as MJ/kg was calculated by the following equation: HHV = 33.5(C%) + 142.3(H%) - 15.4(0%) - 14.5(N%) The calorific value of the sample calculated by the above equation showed a mean difference of -4.47%. This result was in good agreement with the experimental result and the literature. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.