Assessing urban climate effects on Pinus sylvestris with point dendrometers: a case study from Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract Key message Extreme drought conditions, in addition to the urban heat island effect, modify growth response and water storage dynamics of Scots pine trees Stockholm region. Changes surface properties environments significantly impact local microclimate. While are known for providing important thermal regulation, climate on tree remains relatively unexplored. The present study focuses ( P. sylvestris) comparison their rural counterparts. High-resolution monitoring stem-radius variations using automatic point dendrometers was performed during growing seasons (April–October) 2017 2018 Stockholm, Sweden. In 2018, region experienced a severe long-lasting summer drought. May July, temperatures were up 5 °C higher relative reference period (1981–2010), precipitation sums below entire season. Our results show that primarily impacts daily by decreasing radius change amplitudes delaying time maximum stem-water replenishment depletion. Under standard climatic warmer (1.3 °C) at sites had positive radial increment. Drought periods climate–growth relationships. Stem shrinkage intensifies day, lower rates registered, resulting reduced annual growth. high-resolution provided valuable insights into seasonal patterns variations, showing responses increasing temperature mainly controlled moisture availability site-specific conditions.