Temperature characteristics of winter buds’ dormancy in Platanus acerifolia were observed in order to discuss the theory of tree dormancy and the relation between dormancy and tree distribution. Branches of 10～15cm were cut from the middle-aged trees in Platanus acerifolia located on the campus of Henan Agricultural University every 10～15 days during 2002-9-3～2003-2-18, and treated by 3 types: branches with full buds, branches with no buds scales, branches with no central buds (see fig.1). Lots of 15 of the same type of branches were placed in 3 carafes filled by water, and then respectively placed in a plant growth chamber under conditions of continuous illumination (1200 lx) at 15℃, 20℃, 25℃. As the same time, The cuttings of branches of 2002-11-18 were pre-chilled to a low temperature for 0，20，40，60 and 80 days at 5℃ and 12℃, and were placed in a plant growth chamber under conditions of continuous illumination (1200 lx) at 15℃, 20℃ and 25℃. The sprouting of winter buds was observed every week. Results were as follows: （1) Winter buds in Platanus acerifolia had characteristics of shallow dormancy, only 40％～60% of the buds during period of deep dormancy could sprout even at 25℃, but none sprouted at 15℃ and 20℃. But the dormancy buds began to sprout even at low temperature of 10～15℃ in spring after experiencing low temperature in winter; （2) The effect of releasing winter buds in Platanus acerifolia from dormancy at 5℃ was the same as at 12℃. 15℃ and 20℃ also had a slighter effect of lower temperature. The range of lower temperature to release dormancy was larger than with other temperate zone trees, but similar with Idesia polycarpa distributing in subtropical zone and warmth temperate zone. （3) The inducing period of winter buds’ dormancy was from September to October, the last ten days of October is the most deep period of dormancy, then the dormancy was released by lower temperature in winter; （4) Whether the force balance of oppressing from scale and sprouting from growth point and phyllome or flower anlage was broken decided whether or not the winter buds would sprout. When the sprouting force from growth point and phyllome or flower anlage was larger than the oppressing force from scale, the buds could sprout, contrarily, they could not; （5) The buds scales in Platanus acerifolia not only took a part of the oppressing function to sprout and resist winter’s coldness to protect growth point and phyllome or flower anlage, but also took a part of the releasing buds dormancy by using winter’s low temperature. The sprouting force of growth point and phyllome or flower anlage became larger and larger, but the oppressing force from scales became smaller and smaller with the releasing of buds dormancy; （6) The central buds inside winter buds was different from ancillary buds inside winter buds. When the sprouting force of central buds was infirm, those of the ancillary buds became stronger, Contrarily, when the sprouting force of central buds was strong, the sprouting of ancillary buds was restrained. When the dormancy of central buds was released by experiencing winter’s low temperature and could sprout, the ancillary buds inside winter buds newly enter deep dormancy. This indicated an eco-physiological adaptation to stay alive; （7) This eco-physiological adaptability of winter buds dormancy in Platanus acerifolia resulted in it being widely cultivated from subtropical zone to temperate zone.