Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of removing(50% and 75% of frees removing) and mulching on photosynthetic characteristics and the soil properties of a 6-year-old Ligustrum lucidum plantation. The results showed that thinning could increase air temperature in forest stand and soil temperature under forest, reduce soil water content and relative humidity, which increased net photosynthetic rate. In addition, mulching could regulate the temperature and water content of soil and air. And the effect of straw mulching was most obvious. Straw and litter mulching could improve soil nutrient status and the contents of soil microbial biomass carbon observably. Water-use efficiency of Ligustrum lucidum could be significantly improved by intensive removing with straw mulching or intensive removing with gravel mulching.