[Aim]  Elaeagnus angustifolia is a common tree species in northwest China that is attractive to adult female of Anoplophora glabripennis as an oviposition site, but which prevents the hatching of the eggs of this pest by producing copious amounts of gum. To investigate the effects of different irrigation conditions on the vigor of E. angustifolia trees, and how this, in turn, affects their ability to lure and kill A. glabripennis. [Methods]  Six different treatment areas with an irrigation gradient ranging from 25 to 400 L per plant, were established. Ten physiological indicators of tree vigor were measured and the number of fresh oviposition scars on individual trees in each treatment, and the amount, and rate, of gum secretion under different irrigation conditions, were measured and compared. The relationship between the physiological indicators and the amount of gum secreted was analyzed. [Results]  (1) Seven physiological indicators (leaf area index, leaf size, leaf fresh weight, leaf moisture content, SPAD, xylem and gum moisture content) decreased with reduced irrigation. Two indicators (fluorescence parameters ABS/RC and TR_O/RC) increased, and one indicator (Fv/Fm) first increased, then decreased. (2) Trees were weakened by reduced irrigation. The number of fresh oviposition scars first increased, then decreased, reaching a maximum at an irrigation level of 200 L/plant. Gum secretion also declined at lower irrigation levels. (3) Leaf area index and the amount of gum secreted had the highest goodness of fit (R² value = 0.923 2). [Conclusion]  The vigor of E. angustifolia affected both its attractiveness to A. glabripennis as an oviposition site, and its ability to secrete gum to kill the eggs and larvae of this pest. More vigorous trees were better able to produce gum to resist oviposition by A. glabripennis. Leaf area was the best indicator of gum secretion ability. We recommend an irrigation regime of 150-200 L per tree every 40 days to ensure that E. angustifolia can both attract adult A. glabripennis, and secrete sufficient gum to kill the eggs and larvae of this pest.