The invention belongs to the technical field of forestry and particularly relates to a cultivation method by afforestation technique for barren hills with shrub. The cultivation method includes the steps of mechanical shrub cutting, drug application to shrub stubbles, mechanical digging, application of hole-bottom fertilizer, moulding of returning topsoil, afforesting, and management of young growth. The cultivation method has the advantages that traditional 'controlled-burning' afforestation is replaced, 'burning'-free ecological afforestation with minimum tillage or no tillage is achieved, biodiversity of forest lands is protected, original ecology of the forest lands is protected, target tree species in the barren hills with shrub are reserved, and afforesting cost is saved for construction of mixed forests. Process steps of afforestation of the barren hills with shrub are repeatedly tested and summarized, and accordingly the cultivation method is highly scientific, high in practicality and detailed in operational guidance and is effective for sustainable development of forestry.