The growth of the top-leader in Abies nordmanniana was measured over a 6-year period, and showed a consistent growth pattern, with an initial growth phase reaching a maximum growth rate that varied between 12.0 and 22.5 mm per day, and which could be correlated with the temperature in July of the previous year. The daily growth rate always peaked in the last week of June. In late-bud-breaking plants, the top-leader became short because of a low growth rate in this first phase of growth. In the second growth phase, the daily growth rate slowly declined, but was similar in all plants, regardless of the size of the top-leader when this phase began, and the timing of the bud break. The growth in the second growth phase was correlated with the precipitation in the period. Growth cessation occurred in the basal part of the top-leader soon after bud break, and progressed slowly apically, whereby the upper 25% of a young top-leader contributed to 50% of the final length, as growth in this section continued throughout the major part of the growth season.