Abstract: Nutrient (including N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg) concentrations and their retranslocation efficiencies in needles of some common coniferous tree species in urban Hefei were studied. The results from the study showed that there were notable differences in nutrient using efficiency and nutrient retranslocation amongst tree species. Among the nutrient measured elements, P appeared the greatest in using efficiency and retranslocation which were, respectively, 461—4 495 g/g and 5%—64% for different species, respectively. The other elements were ranked as follows, K 215—567 g/g and 13%—64%, N 62—114 g/g and 10%—40%, Na 364—424 g/g and 7%—24%, Mg 214—316 g/g and -57%—12%. Ca had the lowest use efficiency and was accumulated in the fallen needles. The regression analysis showed that there existed significant correlations between N and Na using efficiencies (p=0.012) and between P and Ca using efficiencies (p=0.004) among species. However, the nutrient using efficiency was not significantly correlated with the corresponding soil nutrient.