In this paper, the secondary forests of Populus and Quercus (hereinafter referred to as secondary forests), Robinia pseudoacacia forest, Platycladus orientalis forest, and Pinus tabulaeformis forest were selected as the research objects. Through sample survey and indoor immersion method, to compare and analyze the hydrological characteristics of litter (undecomposed layer, semi-decomposed layer), and study the hydrological and ecological characteristics of litter layer in typical forest stands. The results showed that: (1) The thickness of litter is 3.93 to 4.95 cm. The largest was R. pseudoacacia forest, and the smallest was P. tabulaeformis forest.The largest volume was secondary forest (19.28 t/hm²), followed by P. orientalis forest (18.03 t/hm²) and R. pseudoacacia forest (17.57 t/hm²), the smallest was P. tabulaeformis forest (14.73 t/hm²).The accumulation of undecomposed layers was less than that of semi-decomposed layers. (2) The maximum water holding capacity (rate) of litter was 30.92 to 61.31 t/hm² (197% to 320%), the secondary forest was the largest, followed by R. pseudoacacia forest, P. orientalis forest, and the smallest was P. tabulaeformis forest. (3) There was a significant difference in effective storage of litters (P>0.05), which was represented by secondary forest (31.29 t/hm²) > R. pseudoacacia (22.20 t/hm²) > P. orientalis (18.19 t/hm²) > P. tabulaeformis (13.94 t/hm²). The effective storage rate was 107% to 173%. (4) Within 2 hours of immersion, the water holding capacity and water absorption rate of litter in secondary forest and black locust forest changed most rapidly. The semi-decomposed layer changed faster than the undecomposed layer. In the process of holding water, the two had logarithmic function (R²>0.89) and power function relationship (R² > 0.99) with time. Among the four types of forest land, the hydrological potential of litter in secondary forests was the best, and that of pure P. tabulaeformis forest was the worst. The potential of hydrological characteristics was secondary forest > R. pseudoacacia > P. orientalis > P. tabulaeformis. R. pseudoacacia was the best forest species among the three plantations except secondary forest. It is recommended to reasonably optimize the restoration of tree species allocation in the study area to improve hydrological and ecological functions.