Abstract The dataset is checklist of 711 native and exotic forest tree taxa (species, subspecies and arieties) from 177 genera worldwide, their survival and growth in eight French arboretums from three contrasted bioclimates. Planted between 1969 and 1976, 338 taxa have survived and occur as at least one individual in one plot.

Purpose A series of eight arboretums was installed some 50 years ago for testing the ability of a wide range of mostly exotic tree species to survive in marginal, stressful habitats (high elevation, low fertility, atmospheric pollution, drought). Surviving and well-growing species were expected to be used to enrich the local tree community or replace local species suffering from die-back. The well-documented, georeferenced survival and growth data from these arboretums we present here, will contribute to the renewed scientific interest arboretums represent for understanding how trees adapt to climate change and to providing adaptive solutions to forest management.

The arboretums are part of the INRAE Forest genetics network for research and experimentation - GEN4X (https://doi.org/10.15454/50RS8C). GEN4X is part of the IN-SYLVA France Research Infrastructure (https://doi.org/10.15454/1A0P-HE21).