The objective of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of phenol adsorption from aqueous solution by Pinus massoniana biochar. Adsorption conditions, including contact time, initial phenol concentration, adsorbent dosage, strength of salt ions and pH, have been investigated by batch experiments. Equilibrium can be reached in 24 h for phenol from 50 to 250 mg• L-1. The optimum pH value for this kind of biochar is 5.0. The amount of phenol adsorbed per unit decreases with the increase in adsorbent dosage. The existence of salt ions makes negligible influence on the equilibrium adsorption capacity. The experimental data is analyzed by the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. Equilibrium data fits well to the Freundlich model. Adsorption kinetics models are deduced and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model provides a good correlation for the adsorbent process. The results show that the Pinus massoniana biochar can be utilized as an effective adsorption material for the removal of phenol from aqueous solution.