[Objective] Assessing the effects of salt-isolation materials on soil water and salt movements in saline soil and on the growth of forestation four species(Robinia pseudoacacia, Sophora japonica, Robinia pseudoacacia cv. Idaho, Ailanthus altissima) in the coastal regions of Tianjin City. [Methods] We used four salt-isolation materials to restrict the water and salt movements in the saline soil: zeolite(FS), ceramsite(TL), vermiculite(ZS) and river sand(HS). The research was conducted from 2010 to 2013 at the Coastal Salt-tolerant Plant Science and Technology Park, Dagang, Tianjin City. One-way ANOVA and multiple comparison were used in the data analysis. [Results] (1) Salt-isolation interlayers could significantly reduce soil salt content and increase soil water content of tree planting site. FS treatment performed better than other treatments in reducing salt content and had the lowest salt content. The significant effect of TL treatment on salt content was only observed in the 40-80 cm soil layer, and it performed worse than FS. Relative to the control, ZS had no significant effects on salt content in the 0-40 cm and 60-80 cm layers. HS treatment also had no significant effects on salt content for the investigated soil profile. (2) Salt-isolation materials could significantly reduce soil salt content. FS performed best in reducing the major three salt ions of Na⁺, Cl^- and SO₄^2-, followed by TL, ZS and HS. (3) Salt-isolation materials could also effectively improve soil physical structure of the planting sites, increase tree planting survival rate and preserving rate, and enhance tree growth. On these points, FS was the best performer among the four salt-isolation materials. [Conclusion] Selecting FS as the salt-isolation materials is the best option in controlling soil water and salt movement and improving tree growth in coastal regions.