Abstract: The paper investigated the adaptabilities of thirtytwo major shelterforest trees in Shanghai coastal area, including growth adaptability, resistance capacity and landscape and so on. Meanwhile, the tested trees were evaluated and selected under water and salt stresses by the comprehensive evaluation method. The results showed that thirtytwo tree species were divided into four adaptation types: four species showed excellent adaptation, five species showed good adaptation, five species showed common adaptation, and 18 specie showed poor adaptation. Based on the above comprehensive evaluation result, the following tens species with watersalt resistant were recommended as appropriate shelterforest trees in Shanghai coastal area, which are eight arbors including Pistacia chinensis Bunge, Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco, Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb., Taxodium ascendens×T.mucronatum, Quercus virginiana, T.mucronatum Tenore, Ailanthus altissima Swingle v., Gleditsia triacanthos L., and two shrubs including Elaeagnus pungens Thunb.and Hibiscus hamabo.