The apparatus described is designed to distribute particles of lignocellulosic material falling by gravity uniformly over the inlet area of an electrostatic orientation unit. The particles are metered onto a conveyor belt which discharges an even flow of particles between a pair of contrarotating squirrel-cage rolls whose direction of rotation is such that one part of the flow of particles passes between the rolls and two other parts of the flow are deflected outwardly from the contrarotating rolls. The three portions of the particle flow from the contrarotating rolls are directed respectively to larger squirrel-cage distribution rolls positioned within distribution chambers beneath the contrarotating rolls for even distribution. Various vanes and deflectors are provided to direct the flow of particles within the apparatus.