Methods We continuously measured N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in leaves of three tree species (Q. mongolica, the leaf falling time is the last; Juglans mandshurica, the leaf falling time is the earliest, Acer mono, the leaf falling time is in between Q. mongolica and J. mandshurica) from leaf maturity (August) to litter fall (October) in a montane region of eastern Liaoning Province. We analyzed leaf nutrient concentrations and resorption efficiencies of each species.

Important findings The nutrient concentrations in mature leaves of Q. mongolica are similar to those of other tree species. N, P and K concentrations in the litter of Q. mongolica were significantly lower than those of other species (p < 0.05), and the resorption efficiencies were generally consistent with the leaf falling time. These findings did not support the hypothesis that leaves of Q. mongolica have higher nutrient concentrations than other species. The resorption efficiencies of N, P and K did not influence leaf nutrient concentrations, but were directly related to the biological characteristics of tree species. The leaves of Q. mongolica fall later, which might be due to the high adaptability of Q. mongolica to the barren soil. Although the mature leaves could not accumulate more nutrients from barren soil, they increased the nutrient use efficiency by prolonging the nutrient resorption time. We inferred that leaves with higher nutrient resorption efficiency would fall later, because of greater nutrient storage such as Q. mongolica, which is better adapted to barren soil than other tree species. On the contrary, trees with lower nutrient resorption efficiency generally grow better in the fertile soil, such as J. mandshurica.