Volatile components from fresh and air-dried leaf-buds of Populus nigra L. (Salicaceae) were isolated by Likens-Nickerson apparatus and analyzed using GC/MS. Forty-eight components (ca. 95% of the total isolate) were identified among black poplar bud volatiles. Sesquiterpene alcohols beta-eudesmol and alpha-eudesmol represented 26.3-28.7% of the oil. Other major sesquiterpene compounds were gamma-selinene (7.6-8.8%), delta-cadinene (7.8-8.6%), alpha-elemene (3.3-5.2%) and gamma-cadinene (3.9-4.2%). Hemiterpenes were also identified (2.2-7.6%). Monoterpenes were present in low percentages (1.6-5.7%). Aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, carbonyl compounds and aliphatic acids were identified among non-terpene volatiles (9.8-13.5%). The fresh buds contained 0.27% and dried 0.12% essential oil. Air-drying moderately effected the volatiles qualitative and quantitative composition.