Abstract: Phenol is an important element of secondary metabolism. It affects plant growth, nutrient absorption, physiological characteristics, enzyme activity, soil and micro-organism in growth environment, etc. This paper describes phenolic functional mechanisms in soils and plants. The content and distribution of phenol in plant ecosystem, its effect on physiological and biochemical characteristics of plants, and on physical and chemical properties of soils were discussed too. The paper prospects the research trend of phenolic substances in practical agriculture and forestry to provide the basis for solving phenol-related production decline in agriculture and forestry.