[Aim]  Anoplophora glabripennis is a highly destructive pest of poplar shelterbelts in the Hexi Corridor. To investigate how microenvironment affects gum secretion in Elaeagnus angustifolia, and consequently the ability of this tree species to control Anoplophora glabripennis. [Methods]  Research was conducted in the Heishanhu highway shelterbelt (improved soil habitat) in Jiayuguan City and the Liufencun farmland shelterbelt (native salinized soil habitat) in Jiuquan City, Gansu Province. Physicochemical properties of the soil (bulk density, porosity, water content, pH, organic matter, nutrients) and microclimatic conditions (temperature and humidity) were systematically measured. The severity of damage caused by A. glabripennis (infestation rate, oviposition scars, frass holes, emergence holes) and tree species composition were surveyed. Physiological traits of E. angustifolia (branch and leaf water content, leaf morphology, nutrient content, antioxidant enzyme activity) and its gum excretion (secretion rate and amount) in response to artificial wounds and A. glabripennis oviposition scars were analyzed. [Results]  (1) Although only 22.9% of trees in the improved soil habitat were E. angustifolia, these had 66.0% of all A. glabripennis oviposition scars, effectively protecting Populus alba var. pyramidalis. However, in the salinized habitat, although 51.1% of trees were E. angustifolia these had only 16.1% of A. glabripennis oviposition scars. (2) E. angustifolia in the improved soil habitat had stronger gum secretion responses to A. glabripennis oviposition scars, with significantly higher gum secretion rates and amounts compared to artificial wounds (P < 0.05). In the salinized habitat, gum secretion rates for artificial wounds were higher than those in the improved soil habitat (P < 0.01). However, the gum secreted amount for oviposition scars was lower than that in the improved soil habitat. (3) The mortality rate of A. glabripennis eggs or larvae within oviposition scars reached 100% in both habitats. The vigor of E. angustifolia was influenced by the combined stress of water-salt and nutrient conditions, which potentially drove changes in physiological traits, defense resource allocation, and info-chemical release, ultimately affecting the ability of trees to control A. glabripennis. (4) The improved soil habitat had higher soil water content, lower salinity, and more stable microclimatic temperature and humidity, while the salinized habitat had highly saline soil, lower water content, and greater fluctuations in temperature and humidity. (5) E. angustifolia in the improved soil habitat had higher water content in both trunks and leaves. In the salinized habitat, leaf phosphorus and potassium contents were significantly lower (P < 0.01), but the leaf nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio and leaf area were larger, and peroxidase activity was significantly higher (P < 0.05). [Conclusion]  E. angustifolia is an effective trap-tree for A. glabripennis, achieving a 100% mortality rate of this pest in both salinized and improved habitats. Tree vigor appears to be a key factor regulating its attractiveness to A. glabripennis and its specific defensive responses. In improved soil habitats, maintaining tree vigor and adopting a mixed planting pattern with a low proportion (approximately 20%-30%) of E. angustifolia and P. alba var. pyramidalis can achieve the goal of "pest presence without disaster". In salinized habitats, priority should be given to improving soil water-salt conditions and alleviating phosphorus limitation to restore the vigor of E. angustifolia and thereby improve its attractiveness to A. glabripennis, while also reducing the proportion of highly susceptible tree species or replacing them with resistant varieties. This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing shelterbelt configuration and management based on microhabitat differences thereby enhancing the ecological self-regulation of pest outbreaks in arid regions.