Abstract:Five typical Platycladu sorientalis plantations with the same afforestation period and similar site conditions under artificial irrigation from the Guanshan Forest Farm of Renshoushan in North Mountain of Lanzhou City were selected to study the soil water physical properties by the ring knife method.The results showed that forest type and soil depth had significant effects on soil bulk density,porosity and water holding capacity.Along with the increased soil depth in the 0~100cm soil layer,the soil bulk density of all forest stands increased,while the total soil porosity,capillary porosity,saturated water holding capacity,capillary water holding capacity and field water holding capacity decreased.Significant differences in all those parameters were found among different forest stands (P<0.05).The soil water and physical properties of the Platycladus orientalis×Robinia pseudoacacia mixed forest were generally better than the other four forests,leading to better soil and water conservation capabilities.