We reported the synthesis of vertically aligned dense ZnO nanowires using Zn powder as the source material by a hydrothermal method and a postannealing process at 200°C. The as-synthesized ZnO nanowires are 100–200 nm in diameter and several micrometers in length and each nanowire has a tapered tip. The morphologies of the products remain after post-annealing treatment. Structural analysis indicates the ZnO nanowire is single crystalline and grows along the [0001] direction. The possible growth mechanism for ZnO nanowire bundles is proposed.