Parkland agroforestry practice is an old and widely distributed traditional farming system in Ethiopia in general and in Guangua District (Northwest Ethiopia), in particular. Trees in parkland agroforestry practice provide multitude of benefits, of which their effect on soil properties is prominent. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect of Albizia gummifera and Cordia africana trees on selected soil properties in parkland agroforestry practice. Accordingly, six nearly similar trees from each of Albizia gummifera and Cordia africana tree species, growing under similar site conditions, were selected. Radial distance-based soil sampling (beneath the canopy, at the edge of the canopy, and far from the canopy) was undertaken from two soil layers. This sampling was repeated in four directions and composite soil samples were used for soil physical and chemical analysis. Data on management and utilization of the selected tree species, were collected from farmers and key informants. The results revealed that soil PH, total N, and OC significantly (p ≤ 0.01) varied between tree species. In contrast Av.P did not show significant (p > 0.05) variation between the tree species. Soil TN and OC content were significantly higher under the canopy of A. Gummifera than that of C. africana. Soil pH, TN, and OC were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher under the canopy compared to the open cropland. The importance of A. Gummifera and C. africana trees was emphasized due to their multiple uses including firewood, timber production, shading, soil fertility, and soil and water conservation. Maintaining these tree species, especially A. gummifera, on crop fields in the study area is crucial for enhancing soil fertility and improving food security for small-scale farming households.