[Objective] Several morphological indicators of salt tolerance of different tree species were compared to provide both theoretical support and practical guidelines for choosing afforestation tree species for moderate saline-alkali lands in the Yellow River delta.[Methods] Twelve species had been planted in a moderate saline-alkali land for the comparison of salt-tolerance with indicators of survival rate, growth potential and the degree of salt(salt injury index).[Results] (1) Survival rates of the 12 tree species were significantly different, ranging from 19.3% to 96.7%.(2) Except of American red fraxinus and Dendranthema morifolium, growth performances(growth potential and salt injury degree) of each of the remaining ten species were positively correlated with their survival rate, i.e., better growth performance reflecting higher survival rate.(3) Cluster analysis based on survival rate, growth potential, and salt injury index categorised the 12 tree species into three classes according to their salt tolerance, namely, strong, medium and general.[Conclusion] Through the comparison of salt-tolerance related indices of different species in a moderate saline-alkali land, the salt tolerance rank of these tree species was objectively recognized.