Using the Carpinus betulus annual seedlings as experimental material,we studied the physiological and biochemical responses of C.betulus seedlings under soil drought stress with five different soil content levels.The result showed:(1)With drought stress increasing,the damage of plant gradually increased,and external morphology characteristics of water shortage were distinct.Relative water content and total chlorophyll content decreased as the drought stress increasing and the ranges were greater as the drought degrees became higher;(2)The variation trend in SOD activity,POD activity,soluble sugar content and soluble protein content was increased at first then decreased;(3)Along with the period of drought stress continued,MDA content and relative conductivity increased and reached a maximum at last.It was resulted that C.betulus seedlings improved the characteristics of resistance to soil drought by increasing the activities of protective enzymes and osmatic adjustment substances in the short time and mild(field water holding capacity of 60%),moderate(field water holding capacity of 45%) stress,but under severe stress(field water holding capacity of 30%),the self regulation ability was affected and extreme drought stress(field water holding capacity of 15%) caused some damage to the plants.It indicated that C.betulus has some drought-resistant properties to drought condition,and it can be widely used in landscape application.