De-identified tree-level dataset on mortality, recruitment, vigor dynamics and local proximity variables of the native wild population of Metasequoia glyptostroboides

This dataset provides a de-identified tree-level database for the native wild population of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu & W.C. Cheng in its natural range in south-central China. The dataset was compiled from historical records, long-term field patrol archives and repeated censuses conducted in 2007, 2017 and 2023. It supports analyses of demographic vulnerability, mortality processes, natural recruitment and local environmental exposure in the remnant native population of this endangered relict tree species. The dataset includes three main components. First, it provides records for 153 dead native mother trees, including the census period of death and field-classified proximate causes of mortality. These mortality categories represent field-based proximate causes rather than complete mechanistic diagnoses. Second, it includes natural recruitment records from the 2023 census, including seedlings and saplings recorded beneath native mother trees. Third, it provides a de-identified tree-level table for surviving and registered mother trees, including vigor status across census years and binary local proximity variables indicating whether roads, farmland, water bodies or residences occurred within 40 m of each tree. For conservation sensitivity and data-protection reasons, original mother-tree tag numbers, geographic coordinates and dendrometric measurements, including DBH, tree height and crown traits, are not provided. The tree IDs in this dataset are anonymized and randomly reordered and do not correspond to the original field tag numbers. This de-identified version is intended to allow reproducibility of the main demographic and spatial-association analyses while protecting sensitive location and individual-tree information for this endangered species.