Abstract: In the present work, the effect of hydrothermal preatment on pelletization energy consumption and pellets' properties was carried out. The woody sawdust (Cinnamomum camphora (L.)Presl) was pretreated by hydrothermal pretreatment in the temperature range of 200-260℃, and then compressed into woody pellets, in order to solve the current problem of low quality of pellet properties in woody pellet industry. It was shown that the content of fines and the pellets' Meyer hardness were increased after the hydrothermal preatment. However, the plasticity of sawdust was reduced during hydrothermal pretreatment, resulting in the increase of compaction and extrusion energy consumption during pelletization. The decomposition of hemicellulose was improved during hydrothermal pretreatment, decreasing the moisture absorption and volatile content of pellets. The ignition temperature and burnout temperature of pellets were enhanced after hydrothermal preatment, which decreased the maximum buring rate, resulting in the increment of Composite combustion characteristic index from 6.96 mg2/(min2·℃3)to 1.89-3.44 mg2/(min2·℃3). Therefore, the hydrothermal preatment of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl could improve the burning stablity and safty of pellets.