[Objective] The effects of different fencing time on physical-chemical property of soil in arid valley shrub were studied to provide theoretical basis for the restoration and management of natural vegetation in this region. [Methods] Field investigation and laboratory analysis were used. [Results] (1) Coverage, density, average canopy and height of the shrub layer were significantly increased after hillsides closing, but it is opposite for the herb layer. (2) With the increase of closing age, soil bulk density showed a V-shaped change and reached the minimum value in 13 a. However, vegetation community characteristics, soil porosity, soil water retention capability and soil nutrient all showed an inverted V-shaped curve, they reached the maximum values around 13 a after the hillsides was closed. As compared with the no closing hillsides, the average soil available N, P, K in 0-40 cm layer increased by 26.42%, 26.42%, 107.35%, respectively; total amount of N, P, K content increased by 168.42%, 47.62% and 31.12%. (3) After closing hillsides to facilitate afforestation was conducted, obvious surface convergence phenomenon was observed. Soil physio-chemical properties and carbon sequestration capacity increased. Soil organic carbon densities of plots(F) with different closing ages(n) showed as the following rank: F₁₃ > F₂₂ > F₃₀ > F₅ > CK. Soil organic carbon reserves was showed as: F₅ > F₁₃ > F₂₂ > F₃₀ > CK. It is showed that soil environment had more obvious improvement in Sophora viciifolia community along restoration process. (4) After close hillsides to facilitate afforestation was carried out, interference was decreased, the coverage of Sophora viciifolia bushes got increased, aboveground biomass and productivity also got increased. There was a positively linear relationship between biomass and closing hillsides to facilitate afforestation age. [Conclusion] After close hillsides to facilitate afforestation was carried out, Sophora viciifolia community vegetation characteristics, soil physio-chemical properties, soil organic carbon density and reserves were all better than the corresponding ones of no closing hillsides.