“种树还山”是生活在我国西南桂黔湘山区的瑶族、苗族、侗族等少数民族群众独具特色的植树造林制度。形成这一制度的原因是这一地区贫瘠的农业生产条件和少数民族群众对林业资源经济效益的认识。他们在长期的生产实践中,形成了较为成熟完备的“种树还山”契约制度。这一契约关系在双方当事人的权利义务、契约的订立、契约期限、租金的交付等方面都具有独特的内容。对于“种树还山”制度性质的争议使其遭受了解放后被废除的历史命运,然而,这一制度作为桂黔湘山区少数民族群众最重要的植树造林方式,它在发展林业经济、促进生态保护上双重社会功能不应被抹煞。 “Planting trees and returning mountains ” is a unique tree planting and afforestation system for the ethnic minorities such as Yao, Miao and Dong living in the southwestern Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and Hunan mountains. The reason for the formation of this system is the poor conditions of agricultural production in this region and the awareness of ethnic minority people of the economic benefits of forestry resources. In their long-term production practice, they have formed a relatively mature and complete contractual system. This contractual relationship has unique content in the rights and obligations of both parties, the conclusion of the contract, the duration of the contract, the delivery of the rent and so on. However, this system, as the most important afforestation method for ethnic minorities in Guangxi, Guizhou and Xiangshan mountains, is a very important tool in the development of forestry economy To promote ecological protection, dual social functions should not be denied.