The soil water characteristics in typical artificial forest lands ( Robinia pseudoacacia

Hippophae rhamnoides

and Caragana intermedia) with different ages and the slope grassland as contrast in the loess hilly region are studied. Results show that (1) soil water holding capacity in artificial forest lands is low and by soil water holding capacity

the artificial forest lands have the order of Robiniapseu doacacia > Hip pop hae rhamnoides > Caragana intermedia. Soil water holding capacity increases as the age increases. (2) Soil water conductivity increases significantly as the age increases and saturated hydraulic conductivity in Robinia pseudoacacia land is higher than that in Hip pop hae rhamnoides and Caragana intermedia lands at the matured stage. (3) The increase in the saturated soil water content is found with the increase in age. 4) Soil water holding capacity and conductivity in the artificial forest lands are not better than those in slope grassland repaired by itself .