To explore the effects of return methods on pear tree branch decomposition and soil fertility，this study selected three pear orchards with different soil fertility levels in Daxing district，Beijing，and three treatments were established:direct shredding and returning to the field(FS)，composting before returning to the field(DF)，and no returning to the field control(CK).Through field experiments combined with laboratory analysis，the effects of the two branch return methods on branch decomposition rate，soil nutrients，and microbial properties were systematically compared，aiming to provide a scientific basis for the resource utilization of pear tree branches and the improvement of soil fertility.The results showed that:1)In the Changxing orchard with good soil water and fertility conditions，DF treatment significantly increased the branch decomposition rate to 54%，which was 6% higher than that of FS treatment.The humus and organic matter contents of the decomposed branches increased by 6% and 12% in DF treatment，respectively；2)In the low-water and low-fertility orchard，the decomposition rate of FS treatment(44%)was significantly higher than 36% of DF treatment；3)DF treatment significantly increased the soil total nitrogen and available phosphorus contents by 14% and 37% compared with CK，respectively，but had no significant effect on available potassium，organic matter，and humus contents；4)DF treatment significantly enhanced soil microbial biomass carbon，lignin peroxidase，and cellulase activity，and increased bacteria α-diversity indices(Chao，Shannon index).In conclusion，DF was recommended for orchards with high-water and high-fertility conditions to enhance soil ecological functions，while low-water and low-fertility orchards should apply FS to rapidly replenish organic matter.The study results could provide a theoretical basis for the resource utilization of orchard waste and sustainable soil management.