[Objective] Litter is an important component of forest ecosystems. Studying the incorporation of litter into the soil hydrological processes in the typical vegetation of the hilly region of the Loess Plateau has positive implications for soil and water conservation and ecological restoration projects.[Methods] This study focused on five types of mixed artificial forests in Wuqi, Shaanxi (Robinia pseudoacacia × Pinus tabuliformis, Robinia pseudoacacia × Sophora viciifolia, Robinia pseudoacacia × Hippophae rhamnoides, Robinia pseudoacacia × Prunus persica, Robinia pseudoacacia × Prunus armeniaca) along with pure Robinia pseudoacacia forests. We used a soaking method to determine the soil moisture content mixed with different types and amounts of litter and analyzed its evaporation process.[Results] (1)The amount of litter incorporated in typical vegetation plots ranged from 204 to 2087 g/m2, with an average of 733.53 g/m2 and a depth of 0.5 to 3.5 cm.(2)Among the six types of mixed artificial forests, the order of litter incorporation was: soil mixed with litter from artificial sources > soil with natural litter > bare soil, with greater increases in capillary moisture content observed in pure Robinia pseudoacacia forests and Robinia pseudoacacia×Sophora viciifolia.(3)The evaporation characteristics of soil moisture after litter incorporation for the six types of artificial forests showed a consistent overall trend, with soil moisture decreasing over time. Among them, the litter from Robinia pseudoacacia×Sophora viciifolia and Robinia pseudoacacia×Prunus armeniaca resulted in a significant increase in soil moisture, while the litter from Robinia pseudoacacia×Hippophae rhamnoides showed a smaller increase.(4)For the same forest type, the soil moisture content with different amounts of litter added was higher than that of the untreated soil. Specifically, the largest soil moisture content for Robinia pseudoacacia, Robinia pseudoacacia×Pinus tabuliformis, and Robinia pseudoacacia×Prunus armeniaca was achieved with 1000 g/m2 of litter, while Robinia pseudoacacia×Hippophae rhamnoides reached its maximum at 700 g/m2.[Conclusion] Incorporating litter into the soil helps increase soil moisture content, especially capillary moisture, while the effects of artificially added litter are more pronounced. Mixed forest areas also influence surface soil moisture levels. Among them, the incorporation of litter from Robinia pseudoacacia × Sophora viciifolia and Robinia pseudoacacia × Prunus armeniaca leads to a significant increase in soil moisture content, with the maximum moisture content achieved at a litter incorporation amount of 1000 g/m2.