Objective To explore the transpiration characteristics of common trees and their responses to meteorological factors in secondary forests on karst slopes.Methods Heat diffusion probe method (TDP) was used to monitor Broussonetia papyrifera, Koelreuteria paniculata, Triadica sebifera, Ailanthus altissima, Melia azedarach, Toona sinensis, and Rhus chinensis in Puding karst ecosystem observation and research station of Chinese academy of sciences, and to study the relationship between tree transpiration characteristics and meteorological factors.Results 1) The average daily transpiration of B. papyrifera, K. paniculata, T. sebifera, A. altissima, M. azedarach, T. sinensis, and R.chinensis were (4 409.97±3 260.63), (6 611.27±5 629.57), (3 956.32±2 498.50), (2 984.98±2 039.09), (6 300.25±4 637.71), (780.69±738.80) and (2 320.73±1 717.18) g/d, respectively. 2) The sap flow rates of B. papyrifera, K. paniculata, T. sebifera, A. altissima, M. azedarach, T. sinensis, and R. chinensis were the highest in sunny days, followed by cloudy days, and the lowest in rainy days. 3) The influence of atmospheric temperature (T) and saturated vapor pressure difference (VPD) on B. papyrifera, K. paniculata, T. sebifera, A. altissima, M. azedarach, T. sinensis, and R. chinensis under sunny weather was the greatest, followed by that on relative humidity (RH) and total irradiance (Eg).Conclusion The transpiration of common trees in secondary forests on karst slopes is limited by special water environment. Different deciduous trees have different water use strategies, and the rate of sap flow is mainly affected by VPD and Eg.