Radial cuts of Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) heartwood was activated by Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge (DCSBD) plasma. The plasma treatment resulted in a considerable increase of free surface energy and in the substantial reduction of 50 mu l water droplet uptake time. FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of additional polar functional groups on the wood surface due to the plasma treatment. This is consistent with the shift of wood surface pH level towards more acidic values. The energy efficiency of the DCSBD plasma treatment is better comparing to the known volume dielectric barrier discharge treatment method.