A dataset of tree growth from a long-term nitrogen addition experiment in evergreen broad-leaved forest at Tiantong Station (2011–2023)

Tree growth is an important indicator of the carbon sink capacity in forest ecosystems. Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has increased over the years and had a significant impact on forest carbon sequestration. Therefore, tree growth data under long-term N addition is the basis for analyzing the response of forest tree growth to atmospheric N deposition. This dataset was collected from the long-term nitrogen addition experimental platform in a broadleaved forest at Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station. The platform design includes three treatments: control (CK), low nitrogen addition (LN), and high nitrogen addition (HN). A total of five community surveys were conducted from 2011 to 2023, and the relative growth rate of the trees survived throughout the whole survey period were calculated. The dataset includes the average diameter at breast height (DBH) and relative growth rate (RGR) at the species level, the diameter class level, and the community level. All the data have been subjected to data quality control and assessment such as cross-checking of original field records, anomaly detection in individual tree DBH increment, and field remeasurements. This dataset can provide basic data for understanding the growth response of forests under the background of atmospheric N deposition, and serve as a valuable resource for assessing the carbon sink potential of evergreen broadleaved forests.