To identify the effects of environmental changes and genetic factors on the functional traits of leaves, 1.5-year-old M. pauhoi seedlings grew in the same period under the seed trees of four provenances and in the common garden, were studied for comparative analysis of leaf phenotypic traits and their nutrient concentrations. The results showed that:(1) leaf phenotypic traits such as leaf area, leaf thickness, and leaf dry matter content of M. pauhoi were influenced by both genetic and environmental factors; leaf C content was regulated by genetic factors and was less influenced by the environment; leaf N and P content were mainly influenced by the environmental factors. (2) The coefficient of variation of traits such as specific leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf dry matter content, and leaf shape index was large in different provenances (8.85%-37.03%), among which the coefficient of variation was relatively large in Suichuan, Jiangxi, and relatively small in Chaling, Hunan, but all provenances tended to adapt to habitat changes by adjusting specific leaf area, leaf thickness, and leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content. (3) Although leaf area was significantly negatively correlated with leaf thickness in both the provenances and common gardens, leaf area was significantly positively correlated with leaf shape index and not significantly correlated with leaf nitrogen content in the common garden, while leaf area was not significantly correlated with leaf shape index and negatively correlated with leaf nitrogen content in the provenances. (4) Different coordination and trade-offs existed between seedlings from different provenances and the common garden, which reflected the adaptive strategies of plants in different habitats. Among them, Chaling provenance in Hunan had a more conservative resource acquisition strategy, while the Anfu source in Jiangxi was more sensitive to the environmental changes and had a more flexible resource acquisition strategy. The results of this study provide the preliminary insights into the adaptation strategies of leaf traits of M. pauhoi seedlings to genetic and environmental changes, which can provide the theoretical basis and practical reference for selecting suitable plantation environments and carrying out efficient management of M. pauhoi plantations.