In order to optimize the steam distillation process of volatile components in Phoebe bournei and explore the differences, four parts(leaves, branches, trunks and roots) from the P. bournei test forest in Lechang City, Guangdong Province were used as materials to conduct single-factor tests and orthogonal tests by steam distillation, aims to investigate the influence of three factors(NaCl concentration, material-liquid ratio to solution and extraction time) on the yield of volatile components, determine the optimum process parameters. The extracts from four parts of P. bournei were determined by GC-MS to explore the content and differences of volatile components. The results showed that:(1) the optimal process combinations for leaves was NaCl concentration 45 g·L-1, material-liquid ratio 1∶6, and extraction time 5 h. The extraction rate was 0.056%, 110 volatile components detected. The top five fractions were beta-selinene, beta-eudesmol, bicyclogermacrene, aromandendrene and alpha-muurolene.(2) the optimal process combinations for branches was NaCl concentration 45 g·L-1, material-liquid ratio 1∶8, and extraction time 5 h. The extraction rate was 0.083%, 80 volatile components detected. The top five fractions were guaiol, guaiol acetate, agarospirol, gamma-eudesmol and delta-cadinene.(3) the optimal process combinations for trunks was NaCl concentration 30 g·L-1, material-liquid ratio 1∶8, and extraction time 5 h. The extraction rate was 0.323%, 64 volatile components detected. The top five fractions were agarospirol, gamma-cadinene, guaiol, gamma-eudesmol and verbenone.(4) the optimal process combinations for roots was NaCl concentration 30 g·L-1, material-liquid ratio 1∶9, and extraction time 5 h. The extraction rate was 1.025%, 69 volatile components detected. The top five fractions were agarospirol, gamma-cadinene, guaiol, gamma-eudesmol and verbenone.(5) these volatile components were major consisted of terpenes and alcohols, accounting for more than 80% of the total content. Only 15 volatile components were common among leaves, branches, trunks and roots. The composition of volatile components separated from leaves was significantly different compared with these from other materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]