Data from: Contrasting climate sensitivity of Pinus cembra tree-ring traits in the Carpathians

High elevation ecosystems are one of the most sensitive to climate change.
The analysis of growth and xylem structure of trees from marginal
populations, especially the ones growing at the treeline, could provide
early-warning signs to better understand species-specific responses to
future climate conditions. In this study, we combined classical
dendrochronology with wood density and anatomical measurements to
investigate the climate sensitivity of Pinus cembra L., a typical European
high-elevation tree species distributed in isolated patches in the
Carpathians. Samples were collected from the Retezat Mountains,
South-Western Romania. We analyzed ring-width (TRW), maximum density
(MXD), xylem anatomical traits (cell number per ring (CNo), cell density
(CD), conduit area (CA), and cell-wall thickness (CWT)) time series, split
into ring sectors and assessed the relationships with monthly and daily
climate records over the last century (1901-2015). The analysis showed a
strong dependency of TRW on CNo and MXD on CWT. Summer temperature
positively correlated with MXD and CWT (monthly correlation (r) were 0.65
and 0.48 respectively) from the early- to late-wood but not TRW (r=0.22).
CA positively correlated with water availability (r=0.37) and negatively
correlated with temperature (r=-0.39). This study improves our general
understanding of the climate-growth relationships of a European
high-elevation tree species and the results could be considered for
forecasting population dynamics on projected changes in climate.