Sensitivity of height growth response to climate change does not vary with age in common garden among Norway spruce populations from elevational gradients

•Growth of Norway spruce populations responded to climatic distance in common-garden.•Variation pattern confirmed adaptation of populations to environment at their origin.•Stand growth will decrease when spruce populations face climate warming and drying.•Maladaptation to climate of study site did not increase with time among populations.•Spruce ecotype will remain relevant for planting forests adapted to future climates.