Abstract: To investigate the effects of pruning with different target tree retention densities on the growth and canopy structure of midaged C.lanceolata plantations,and to screen out a suitable target tree retention density,a 17-year-old C.lanceolata stand was studied.Three treatments were established:target trees retained at 225 plants·hm^-2 with pruning(T1),300 plants·hm^-2 with pruning(T2),and 375 plants·hm^-2 with pruning(T3),with a control of target trees retained at 375 plants·hm^-2 without pruning(CK).The canopy structure,stand and target tree growth,and surface litter stock were measured under different treatments.The results showed that pruning significantly optimized the canopy structure.The stand canopy density under T3 did not differ significantly from that of CK,but its diffuse transmittance coefficient was the highest,effectively improving the understory light environment.In terms of tree growth,pruning had no significant effect on the average diameter at breast height or volume of the stand and target trees,but it significantly promoted height growth.The average stand height ranked as T1 > T2 > T3 > CK,while the average target tree height ranked as T3 > T1 > T2 > CK.There was no significant difference in litter stock(undecomposed and semidecomposed) among treatments.Correlation analysis revealed that the diffuse transmittance coefficient was significantly positively correlated with average tree height and average height to the lowest live branch(P<0.05).During the observation period, the T3 treatment maintained a relatively high diffuse transmittance coefficient, and the mean height to the lowest live branch of target trees was significantly greater than that under CK. Although the mean diameter at breast height, mean tree height, and stand volume of target trees showed increasing trends under T3, the differences among treatments were not statistically significant. T3 also exhibited a relatively high proportion of partially decomposed litter; however, litter stocks did not differ significantly among treatments. Overall, T3 performed relatively well in optimizing the canopy light environment and enhancing the potential for knot-free timber production. Nevertheless, its long-term effects on individual-tree growth and nutrient cycling require further investigation.