Epoxy resin (EPR) was used to crosslink with Camellia oleifera Abel. protein to prepare wood adhesive, and the bonding performance and curing characteristics of which were mainly investigated, and the synthesis mechanism was also discussed by using model compounds. The experimental results show that EPR can significantly improve the bonding performance of Camellia oleifera Abel. protein-based adhesive, and the maximum of which reaches 0.72 MPa satisfies the strength requirement of Type Ⅱ plywood in GB/T 176572013. After alkali treatment, the protein can more easily crosslink with EPR at low curing temperature, and the adhesive has high degree of crystallinity of curing products, high degree of crosslinking reaction, and high bonding strength. The reaction mechanism of EPR-modified Camellia oleifera Abel. protein adhesive can be divided into resinification phase and curing phase.