Based on MaxEnt model, identifying and predicting suitable tree species in the dry-hot valley of Yunnan are important for improving and restoring its ecological management capacity. In this study, we collected data on the geographic distribution of 40 representative potentially suitable tree species, and screened suitable tree species using the MaxEnt model in combination with the environmental factors such as climate, topography and soil. To predict the distribution pattern of suitable tree species suitable areas for the current and 2021-2040 (SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585), to delineate the priority planting areas, and to clarify the feasibility of the MaxEnt model for tree species selection. The results show that: (1) The dominant factors affecting the distribution of potentially suitable tree species in the dry-hot valley under the current climate scenario are climatic factors, followed by elevation(elev), normalized difference vegetation index(ndvi), surface solar radiation(rs) and human footprint(hfp). (2) In the future, suitable areas of the 24 suitable tree species are stable, and the probability of occurrence has a unimodal distribution in relation to elevation. The abundance will decrease at higher elevations. (3) The priority planting areas for suitable tree species in the dry-hot valleys are narrowly distributed along the banks of the dry-hot valley. The actual survey found that the area of the actual distribution area of the suitable tree species in Yuanmou County was slightly higher than the area of the optimal planting area. It is feasible to apply the MaxEnt model to screen the selection of suitable tree species in the dry-hot valleys, but the difference between the actual survival of the tree species and the predicted results must be verified through field surveys before application. When reforesting the ecological restoration of the dry-hot valley, the priority can be given to 24 species of trees such as Fraxinus malacophylla and Dodonaea viscosa.