Abstract: Attaching importance to afforestation is a cultural gene and fine tradition of the Chinese civilization for thousands of years.The thought of "preserving the land" is the main representative of the public value orientation of afforestation in ancient China, and the thought of "thinking for the people's capital" is the concentrated embodiment of the economic value orientation of afforestation in ancient China. The idea of "planting trees according to the time" is not only the result of the long-term summary of the planting technology of ancient Chinese people, but also the institutional arrangement of the rulers of various dynasties for afforestation. These ideas and concepts have important reference significance for the current efforts to promote the construction of ecological civilization and beautiful China, which is to put economic benefits in the same important position as ecological benefits and social benefits, constantly improve the level of science and technology, and constantly improve the system guarantee.