We measured the photosynthetic capacity (RuBP carboxylation and electron transport capacity at 25°C) and the maximum photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m) from autumn to spring in saplings of two evergreen broadleaf tree species and examined the negative effects of photoinhibition on the photosynthetic capacity. Saplings were grown in pots under three simulated natural light environments typical of temperate forests: an open site, deciduous understorey and evergreen understorey. During winter, the photosynthetic capacity and F_v/F_m synchronously decreased in leaves in the sun, but not those in the shade. We found large differences in F_v/F_m and photosynthetic capacity, along with a positive correlation between F_v/F_m and the photosynthetic capacity among leaves in different light environments. In photoinhibited leaves that were transferred to the shade in mid-winter, photosynthetic capacity increased synchronously with the increment of F_v/F_m. The decrease in photosynthetic capacity in photoinhibited leaves and the synchronous recovery of photosynthetic capacity with photoinhibition supported the hypothesis that photoinhibition depressed the photosynthetic capacity during winter. We showed that difference in the degree of photoinhibition was responsible for the different winter photosynthetic capacity among leaves exposed to different light environments.