Mixed broadleaf-conifer forests and broadleaf forests are the main forest type in subtropical region. Understanding the spatial distribution of dominant tree species among these forest types can provide insights for effective forest management measures and the mechanisms of community assembly in subtropical forests. In this study, we examined the distributions and associations of dominant species with different life stages in mixed broadleaf-conifer forests and broadleaf forests separately. We established four 1 hm² forest plots, including two in mixed forest (plots 1 and 2) and two in broadleaf forests (plot 3 and 4), to detect species associations and distributions. All trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were mapped and identified. For mixed-forest plots, the density of Pinus massoniana was lower in plot 1 than in plot 2. We applied spatial point pattern analysis in this study, and the spatial distribution of dominant tree species and associations of different species were analyzed. The results showed that (I) When using a complete spatial randomness null model, most populations in plot 1 showed aggregated distribution at smaller scales (<10 m) and random distributions at larger scales. However, in plots 2-4, most populations showed an aggregated distribution at all scales. In addition, when using a heterogeneous poisson null model, most populations in all plots showed random distributions at all scales; (Ⅱ) Small trees (5.0 cm < DBH < 10.0 cm) of Cyclobalanopsis glauca and Castanopsis sclerophylla showed aggregated distribution in all plots, whereas large trees (DBH > 10.0 cm) showed random distribution in plot 1 and 2 and aggregated distribution in plot 3 and 4; (Ⅲ) P. massoniana was negatively associated with other species at smaller scales in plot 1, and at all scales in plot 2. C. glauca was negativelyassociated with other species at smaller scales in plot 3, and at all scales in plot 4. All species showed negative associations at all scales. In conclusion, the spatial distribution and associations of tree species showed different patterns in the two forest types. These results indicated that the spatial distributions and associations of trees were regulated by dispersal limitation and environmental heterogeneity in mixed forest and evergreen broadleaf forest. Moreover, density dependence played an important role in mixed forests and the effects of density dependence tended to decrease along the life stages of trees.