Objective This paper aims to provide a technical support for the selection of tree species for afforestation and improvement of soil quality in black soil areas by studying the effects of different shelterbelts with the same stand age on the physicochemical properties of forested soils.

Method The 3-year-old Betula platyphylla (Bp), Fraxinus mandschurica (Fm), Acer mono (Am) and Juglans mandshurica (Jm), planted at the same time in Keshan Farm, were used as the research objects. The 12 soil physicochemical indices were measured in the 0 ~ 10, 10 ~ 20 and 20 ~ 40 cm soil layers, and the soil quality was comprehensively evaluated by using the affiliation function and principal component analysis based on the significance of difference test and correlation analysis.

Result ①The physical properties of the surface soil (0 ~ 10 cm) were better than those of the lower soil layer compared with the lower soil layer, and the nutrient contents tended to decrease significantly with the deepening of the soil layer. There was no obvious change pattern in the content of available potassium and total potassium. ② Soil physical and chemical properties and nutrient contents of the soil layer at the same depth varied significantly (P < 0.05) among different woodlands, and the best soil physical properties were found in the birch woodland and the best soil chemical properties were found in the water hyacinth woodland. ③ The overall scores for soil physical and chemical properties of different shelters were as follows: Fm > Bp >Am >Jm.

Conclusion The soil quality of young forests of Fm and Bp was better than that of Am and Jm, and the planting of Fm and Bp should be recommended as a priority from the point of view of soil fertilization.