Premise Phosphorus (P) limitation in subtropical red soil is a major constraint on plant productivity. Understanding how plant species adapt to nutrient-poor conditions is a fundamental question in plant ecology. This study addresses this question by investigating the nutrient utilization strategies of four common subtropical tree species. Methods We conducted a homogeneous garden experiment on phosphorus-limited red soil with four subtropical tree species (Pinus massoniana, Liquidambar formosana, Elaeocarpus decipiens, and Schima superba). We systematically evaluated their leaf functional traits, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption efficiencies (NRE and PRE), and their interrelationships among these parameters. Results (1) Leaf functional traits varied significantly among species, forming a continuous resource-use spectrum from acquisitive (L. formosana) to conservative (P. massoniana), with. E. decipiens and S. superba showed intermediate strategies.2) The trait differentiation was strongly linked to nutrient resorption: the conservative species, P. massoniana exhibited the highest NRE and PRE (54.25% and 54.78%, respectively). Among broadleaved species, E. decipiens and S. superba had significantly higher NRE than L. formosana. All species exhibited strong P limitation (leaf N/P > 20), resulting in generally higher PRE than NRE, supporting the Relative Resorption Hypothesis. 3) Redundancy analysis further confirmed that conservative traits were positively correlated with resorption efficiency, identifying leaf carbon, litter nitrogen, leaf N/P ratio, and thickness as key regulatory factors. Conclusions These findings demonstrate how subtropical trees adapt to nutrient-poor soils through functional trait differentiation and nutrient resorption plasticity, offering a scientific basis for species selection in restoring degraded red soil ecosystems.