Afforestation is the primary ecosystem measure to address the issue of ecosystem degradation in in the Horqin sandy region of northern China. However , It is yet unclear how afforestation may affect the recovery of sandy grassland. This study took the ecological stoichiometry as indicators, and conducted a field investigation and indoor analysis to assess the afforestation strategies of three indigenous tree species for the restoration of sandy grassland , three restoration strategies were: (1) grasslands were enclosed via a Populus × beijingensis shelterbelt (FG); (2) Pinussylvestris var. mongolica was used for the afforestation of small, well-distributed grassland patches (MG); (3) Ulmus pumila was used for the afforestation of small, well-distributed patches (UG). Our result showed that the C, N, and P contents as well as the C: N: P ratio in plants, litters, and soils varied significantly between FG, MG, and UG. All three treatments were found to significantly impact the soil ratios of C:N, N:P, and C:P relative to CK treatment after more than 20 years of recovery. The results of N : P in different tissues showed that FG , MG and UG vegetation restorations were N-limited. N and P homeostasis was present in trees, especially Ulmus pumila, while the degree of homeostasis was significantly impacted by afforestation species and plant tissues. The N:P results suggested that lower N deficiency stress may have been experienced by three experimental plants. We concluded that UG was better suited to the dry climate in Horqin Sandy Land.