The growth indexes of artificial black locust forest with different densities in the hilly and gully area of Western Shanxi Province are studied.The purpose is to provide theory and practice evidences for plantation management in the area.Results show that in the same stand age (20a)

the values of various growth indexes in higher density forest is lower than those in lower density forest

such as tree height and crown width.However

the value of canopy density is higher than that in lower density forest.The DBH (diameter at breast height) of higher density forest is generally smaller and the DBH increases gradually with the decreased forest density.In the shrub layer and herb layer under different stand densities

plant average height

vegetation coverage

biomass

and species richness all decrease as the stand density increases.Soil water content in the undergrowth vegetation is higher in lower density than that in higher density.In the hilly and gully area of the loess plateau in Western Shanxi Province

the suitable stand density of artificial black locust forest is 1 667 stands/hm2.