Leaf tissue water relations parameters of well-watered and drought-stressed black locust (Robiniapseudoacacia L.) seedlings were compared using the sap expression and free transpiration pressure–volume analysis techniques. Osmotic potentials at full tissue hydration and at the turgor loss point were higher using the sap expression method for well-watered but not for drought-stressed seedlings. These differences appeared to be related to the percentage of water left uncollected during the sap expression procedure. Osmotic adjustment in response to drought was detected by both methods. Leaf relative water content at the turgor loss point and the symplastic water fraction did not differ between methods. The relationship between bulk tissue elastic modulus (E) and turgor potential estimated by both techniques was not significantly different, although E values derived from sap expression curves for well-watered seedlings were generally higher at a given turgor potential.