Abstract: Leaf nutrient elements of the 2yr old saplings of three Castanopsis hystrix provenances were analyzed. The results showed that the N content was the highest among the constant elements, which was followed by Ca, Mg and P. While the Fe content was the highest among the trace elements, followed by Mn and Cu. Most elements were synergically and positively correlated one another at significant or extreme significant level. The elements P, Ca, Mn, Cu, Ca, Fe, N, Mg and B had significant impacts on the comprehensive evaluation of different C. hystrix provenances. The principal component analysis showed that the plant leaves of Pubei provenance had the best absorption of nutrient elements, followed by Bobai provenance, and the Donglan provenance had the worst absorption of nutrient elements among the three.