Abstract: To explore the water use characteristics of city-greening tree species in Beijing, we used the thermal dissipation probe method to continuously measure sap flow of Sophora japonica, Ginkgo biloba, Fraxinus chinensis, Eucommia uloides and Ailanthus altissima. Simultaneously, we also monitored environmental factors such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR),air temperature and air relative humidity. Whole-tree transpiration was simulated by means of the JAVIS model and PM equation. Among the five species, the whole-tree transpiration was highest in S. japonica and lowest in F. chinensis. Whole-tree transpiration, canopy stomatal conductance and the environmental driving factors of radiation and vapour pressure deficit were significantly correlated on a daily scale. S. japonica can grow well in sunny and lightly dry conditions, whereas G. biloba, F. chinensis, E. uloides and A. altissima can grow well in medium sunny and humid conditions.