Commercial plant essential oils from 27 plant species were tested for their nematicidal activities against the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Good nematicidal activity against B. xylophilus was achieved with essential oils of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), styrax (Liquidamber orientalis) and valerina (Valeriana wallichi). Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to identification of 26, 10 and 4 major compounds from coriander (Coriandrum sativum), styrax (Liquidamber orientalis) and valerina (Valeriana wallichi) oils, respectively. These compounds from three plant essential oils were tested individually for their nematicidal activities against the pine wood nematode. Among compounds, benzaldehyde, trans-cinnamyl alcohol, cis-asarone, octanal, nonanal, decanal, trans-2-decenal, undecanal, dodecanal, decanol, and trans-2-decen-1-ol showed strong nematicidal activity. The essential oils and their described herein merit further study as potential nematicides against the pine wood nematode.