Soil physical properties were studied during subalpine coniferous plantation rehabilitation in western Sichuan. The results showed that soil silt

clay

physical clay

aggregate degree and structure coefficient in topsoil decreased with increasing of spruce plantation age and soil sand increased. Soil saturated water capacity

capillary water capacity

total porosity and capillary porosity showed the trend of the "U" during the successional course of spruce plantation

namely

they reduced on the early successional stages and recovered slowly with improvement of forest micro-environment after spruce plantation reached mature forest. The content of soil natural water was mainly controlled by capillary porosity. In order to accelerate the course of plant restoration and rehabilitation

the strategy and measures to increase plant diversity and to decrease water and soil loss were put forward

including application of thinning rationally for existing dense plantations and establishment of mixture forest of conifer and broadleaf trees for new plantations

which would create good soil physical environment for plant growth.