The physical characteristics , soil nutrients , microorganism amounts, and enzyme activities of soils were studied in a young Michelia macclurei stand and a young Rhodolcia championii stand .Soil density in the Michelia macclurei stand was significantly smaller than the control , whereas its capillary porosity,total porosity,and capillary moisture capacity were sig nificantly greater than the latter .Soil density in the R hodolcia championii stand was 115 %of that in the Michelia macclurei stand,whereas its capillary porosity,total porosity,and capillary moisture capacity were 85%,87%,and 76%of those of the latter,respectively,and capillary porosity of the two stands was close.The content of soil organic matter,total N,total K,and alkalized N in the tw o stands were sig nificantly greater than the control,whereas their total P,available P,and available K were significantly smaller than the latter .The soils in the two stands were rather strong in acidity .Soil nutrient contents in the Michelia macclurei stand was relatively high and its soil organic matter,total N , total P,total K,alkalized N,available P,and available K were 1.29,1.26,1.17,1.02,1.20,1.33,and 1.51 times those in the R hodolcia championii stand , respectively .The amounts of bacteria, fungi,and actinomyces and the activities of urease,acid phosphatase,and catalase in the Michelia macclurei stand were 1.63,1.18,1.75,1.19,1.06 ,and 1.24 time those of the R hodolcia championii stand,respectively ,and those in the two stands were significantly greater than the co ntrol.