In order to reveal the dissolved organic matter (DOM) responses of different tree species to global warming, soil warming of root-boxes were employed at Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station in Sanming, Fujian. The representative plant seedlings of Castanopsis carlesii (CC) and Cunninghamia lanceolate (CL) in subtropical areas were selected as the research objects, and no trees were set as the control. Uv-vis spectrum and fluorescence spectrum analysis were used to explore the effects of short-term warming on soil DOM concentration and spectral characteristics of different tree species. The results showed that (1) Soil DOC concentrations of different tree species were significantly different, and soil DOC concentration of CL was significantly higher than those of CC and unplanted trees treatment. Tree species had no significant effects on soil DOM fluorescence index (FluI), biological index (BIX) and humification index (HIX), but soil DOM aromaticity (SUVA254) and hydrophobicity (SUVA260) of CC were higher than those of CL and unplanted treatment. (2) Short-term warming had no significant effect on soil DOC concentration in root boxes of different tree species, and did not significantly affectthe SUVA254, SUVA260, molecular weight (SUVA280), BIX and HIX, but short-term warming significantly increased the FluI of soil DOM and the relative contribution of dissolved microbial by-product components. (3) RDA and SEM both showed that soil warming affected soil DOM concentration and spectral characteristics to varying degrees by regulating root growth, soil nutrients and soil microbial biomass. In summary, soil DOM concentration and spectral characteristics of different tree species did not respond significantly to short-term warming, but after short-term soil warming, the complexity of soil DOM structure for planting trees decreased, and the sources of microbial activity and metabolism increased. This study can provide basic data for understanding the chemistry and function of forest soil DOM in subtropical region, and also provide certain reference for tree species selection under global warming.