Abstract: Based on the investigation data of Sabina przewalskii tree-ring width at six sites at upper timberlines in eastern mountainous region of Qaidam Basin, the standard tree-ring chronologies of S. przewalskii were established. Cluster analysis indicated that there existed geographical differences in the radial growth of S. przewalskii among the sites. Higher similarity was observed between two northern sites, and among four central and southern sites. Climatic factors had different effects on the radial growth of S. przewalskii of the two clusters. The radial growth of S. przewalskii was positively correlated with the precipitation in current year’s June at northern sites, and with the air temperature in previous year’s November and current year’s July at central and southern sites.

Key words: Pinus koraiensisdominated broad-leaved mixed forest, forest gap size, soil water content, geostatistics, spatial heterogeneity.