Assessing the regional-scale distribution of height growth of Cryptomeria japonica stands using airborne LiDAR, forest GIS database and machine learning

•Developed method for quantitative analysis of tree height growth at regional scale.•Assessed tree height growth patterns of Japanese cedar in two regions of Japan.•Forest stand age proved to be an important factor influencing tree height growth.•Environmental factors were also important, with their importance differing by region.•Growth patterns of the species differed among sites within a region.