Accurate assessment of stand state is of great significance for optimizing forest structure and improving timber production and ecological functions.In this study,Pinus massoniana plantations were selected as the research objects.A total of 24 sample plots were established across four age groups,including young,middle-aged,near-mature,and mature stands.Based on the unit circle method,the distance-independent evaluation index(ω1),the distance-dependent evaluation index(ω2),and the comprehensive evaluation index(ω)were constructed to characterize macroscopic stand attributes,microscopic spatial structure,and overall stand state,respectively.Differences in stand state among age groups and their dynamic change patterns with stand age were then analyzed.The results showed that:1)Stand states differed significantly among age groups.Tree dominance,health status,tree species composition,species diversity and mingling degree increased significantly with stand age.The stand structure gradually transitioned from a simple and single-species state in young stands toward a more complex,highly mixed and optimized state in mature stands.2)Differences among age groups exhibited distinct stage-specific patterns across the evaluation indices。The ω1 and ω were significantly higher in near-mature stands than in young and middle-aged stands (P<0.05),with no significant differences between near-mature and mature stands; ω2 was significantly higher in near-mature stands than in young stands and significantly higher in mature stands than in the other three age groups.The near-mature stage was a key stage at which the overall stand state improved significantly.3)Regression analysis showed thatω1,ω2 and ω were significantly positively correlated with stand age,with coefficients of determination(R2)of 0.292(P<0.05),0.761(P<0.001),and 0.682(P<0.001),respectively,indicating that stand states were gradually optimized with increasing stand age.Among them,ω2 had stronger explanatory ability in characterizing changes in stand state,while ω integrated both macroscopic and microscopic information,maintaining relatively high explanatory power while providing a more comprehensive reflection of the overall stand state.These results provide a reference for stand state evaluation,structural optimization and stage-specific management of Pinus massoniana plantations.