Growth response of Betula pendula Roth to changing climatic conditions in urban areas of central Europe: different strategies within a single species

Betula pendula is a wide-spread tree species, important as a part of natural forests, a source of timber, and an ornamental tree in urban regions. It is generally considered a pioneer tree with fast growth and a short lifespan, but great genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity. To better understand how the ongoing climatic change would influence the trees in urban environment, we conducted dendrochronological sampling of 42 specimens in Bratislava, varying in trunk diameter and vitality. The data provide the location and characteristics of the sampled specimens and the measured widths of their tree rings.