Abstract: In order to determine the changes in seed germination, biochemical composition and enzyme activity after alternative stratification, Carpinus betulus seeds were investigated. The results indicated that the content of starch and crude fat all gradually declined, the soluble protein climbed up first, but then declined, they respectively reduced 39.7%, 92.2%, 2.3% after alternative stratification, compared with CK; the content of soluble sugars obviously increased by 129%, the corresponding enzyme activity had an increase trendency, increased by 550%, 228%, 67%, compared with CK. After being laminated 150 d, the germination percentage increased greatly. The result indicated that alternative stratification could effectively break dormancy of Carpinus betulus L. seeds and the stored substance was continuously catabolism to prepare for the seeds germination in the process of alternative stratification.