Abstract The impact on the chemical composition and changes to the cellulose crystallites in Pinus radiata wood chips under light ( ca. 230 °C), mild ( ca. 260 °C), and severe (290+ °C) torrefaction temperatures at a range of times was examined by solid state 13 C CP-MAS and Dipolar Dephased NMR spectroscopy, TGA, and synchrotron based X-ray diffraction. Results indicated the decomposition of hemicelluloses into furfurals at the lowest temperature with little modification to the lignin or cellulose. De-polymerisation of lignin and cellulose was observed as torrefaction severity increased. The increased hydrophobicity under light and mild torrefaction severity was attributed to a combination of thermo-chemical modifications to hemicelluloses and lignin, along with cellulose crystal lattice changes. The observed decrease in hydrophobicity under severe torrefaction conditions was attributed to the degradation of cellulose crystallites.