Objective To compare the growth and ability of heavy metal accumulation in four flooding-tolerant tree species (Salix interga 'Weishanhu', S. psammophila, Nyssa aquatica, and Taxodium mucronatum) through a field experiment.

Method  By filed sampling, the growth indexes of different tree species were investigated, and the heavy metal contents in different parts of trees and soil samples were determined by ICP-MS and ICP-AES.

Result  The results show that the four tree species could maintain normal growth and showed relative strong adaptability in the soil polluted by Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb at different degrees. The ability of heavy metal accumulation varied among tree species. S. interga 'Weishanhu' showed the maximum total accumulation of Cd, Zn and Cu (462.58, 4 341.32,261.86 mg·plant^-1). S. psammophila showed the maximum total accumulation of Pb and Mn (106.97,577.61 mg·plant^-1). Under the local planting density, after six years of growth, S. interga 'Weishanhu' removed Cd 3.70, Zn 34.73, Pb 0.66, Cu 2.10, Mn 4.23 kg·hm^-2 respectively, S. psammophila removed 22.26 kg Zn per hectare, N. aquatica removed 3.80 kg Mn per hectare in the past four years.

Conclusion  This study shows that S. psammophila and S. interga 'Weishanhu' have advantage on accumulating Cd and Zn, N. aquatica and T. mucronatum have potential ability on remediating Mn and Cu contaminated soil, respectively.