Relationships among water status, endogenous Abscisic acid (ABA) and sprout rate of 4 species of transplanting seedlings, locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), Chinese seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis), poplar (Populus simonii) were analyzed. The main results are: water deficit made water content, sprout rate, sprout growth rate, and survival rate decrease notably. ABA in bud and phloem of species was increased by soil drought and there were interrelated notable negative relationships between ABA and water content, sprout rate and survival rate. ABA in bud and phloem of seabuckthorn and Chinese pine was 5-10 times higher than in locust and poplar. Statistical analysis revealed interrelated significant relationships between sprout rate, survival rate and phloem water content.