Cr(III) ions sorption onto sawdust of spruce (Picea smithiana) has been studied thoroughly using radiotracer technique. Maximum sorption (94%) of Cr(III) ions (8.98 × 10 −5 M) onto sorbent surface is achieved from deionized water in 20 min agitation time using 200 mg of sawdust. The sorption data followed the Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) and Langmuir isotherms. Freundlich constants l/n = 0.86 ± 0.07 and C e = 85.0 ± 25.8 mmole g −1 have been estimated. Sorption capacity, X m = 0.82 ± 0.3 mmole g −1 , β = −0.00356 ± 0.00017 kJ 2 mole −2 and energy, E = 11.9 ± 0.3 kJ mole −1 have been evaluated using D-R isotherm. The Langmuir constants Q = 5.8 ± 0.2 µmole g −1 and b = (7.4 ± 0.5) × 10 4 dm 3 mole −1 have been calculated. The variation of sorption with temperature yields thermodynamic parameters H = −11.6 ± 0.3 kJ mole −1 , S = −16.2 ± 0.9 J mole −1 K −1 and G = −6.8 ± 0.3 kJ mole −1 at 298 K. The negative value of enthalpy and free energy reflect the exothermic and spontaneous nature of sorption respectively. Among the anions studied oxalate, citrate, carbonate and borate have reduced the sorption. The cations Y(III), Ce(II) and Ca(II) suppressed sorption. The sawdust column can be used to separate Cr(III) ion from Cs(I), I(I),Tc (VII) and Se (IV).