This study was conducted to investigate ovule abortion of tetraploid Robinia pseudoacacia and its reasons. It was found that in the ovule development period of tetraploid R. pseudoacacia from 15 d after coronal opening, the levels of growth-promoting endogenous hormones in abortive ovules were lower than those in normal ovules, and the level of a growth-inhibiting hormone was always higher than those in normal ovules, indicating that ovule abortion of tetraploid R. pseudoacacia might be related to abnormal endogenous phytohormones in ovules. This study laid a foundation for further study on highly sterile phenomenon of tetraploid R. pseudoacacia seeds.