Abstract: 【Objective】Study the effects of willow trees, Salix saposhnikovii, on the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus removal in the eutrophic sewage intermittently running through wetland surfaces.【Method】In this paper,two wetland models were constructed. One model dealt with long-term ponding and the other with alternative ponding and drying.【Result】The results showed that Salix saposhnikovii could remove more than 80% of total N and total P, and more than 90% of NH⁺₄-N and PO^3-₄-P in the eutrophic water, with higher efficiency than that observed in control groups without willows. The purifying effects were not significantly different(P > 0.05)between willow groups in the two types of wetland models. Considering the influence of hydraulic retention time, longer purifying times resulted in higher accumulative removal rates. As time went on, however, the relative removal rate in a single day reduced each day, to a minimum at the third day after adding sewage. After long-term ponding, the removal rates of total P and total N in the willow groups were not significantly different(P > 0.05)between two rounds of adding sewage. After alternative ponding and drying, the removal rates of TP and PO^3-₄-P were also not significantly different(P > 0.05)between two rounds of adding sewage. 【Conclusion】 Salix saposhnikovii could effectively reduce remove total phosphorus and total nitrogen in water within three days. It is suitable for water purification in intermittent river wetlands.