Background and aims <p>Temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) of plant detrital decomposition represents a significant portion of the feedback between terrestrial carbon (C) cycling and climate change. However, the Q₁₀ of decomposing root litter, especially for different root orders, is still poorly understood, limiting prediction of the response of terrestrial C budget to climate change.</p> Methods <p>Root system which was collected from five widely distributed woody species was distinguished depending on root order and incubated at 15 and 20 ℃, respectively, to estimate the Q₁₀ of decomposition. Litter initial traits that may be responsible for Q₁₀ variability were measured.</p> Results <p>As root order becomes higher, there was an increase in litter decomposition, because of the increased soluble sugar and starch coupled with decreased condensed tannin concentration. The Q₁₀ of decomposition, with a value ranging from 1.83 to 2.34, also increased as root order increases. Species has no interaction with root order to modulate Q₁₀. The quality parameter C:N and lignin:N ratios, correlated positively with Q₁₀, emerged as the two most important factors regulating Q₁₀. Our findings demonstrated Q₁₀ to increase with decreasing litter quality and supported the “C quality-temperature” hypothesis.</p> Conclusions <p>Root order should be taken into consideration while predicting the fate of root litter-derived C in a warmer future. Collectively, this study contributes to a more accurate prediction of terrestrial C budget in the context of climate change.</p>