Based on the average daily temperature

average daily maximum and minimum temperature data from the weather stations of Ejina Banner in the oasis of Ejina Banner in the 1960-2010s

the methods like s climate trending rate and correlation analysis were used to analyze the varying characteristics of beginning and ending dates of annual growth period

day number of growth period

and beginning dates of leaf expansion and yellow leaf stage for the Populus euphratica

as well as its response to climate change. Results showed that in the recent 51 years

the beginning date of annual growth was becoming earlier

but the ending date was becoming later; the annual growth period was prolonged; and the beginning date of leaf unfolding was becoming earlier and the beginning date of yellow leaf stage

slightly later. Correlation analysis shows that the beginning date of annual growth was greatly influenced by the average temperature in March and the end-ing date

by the average temperature in October. There was a significantly positive correlation between the growth period and the average temperature from March to November. The average temperature in April had a significant influence on the beginning date of leaf unfolding

and the correlation between them was negative with a correlation coefficient as high as 0.6782(α=0.001). The average temperature in September had a maximum influence on the beginning date of yellow leaf stage. The higher average temperature in Septem-ber

the later the beginning date of yellow leaf stage was. Therefore

there was an obvious response of the Populus euphraticato climate change in the study area.