Abstract:The variation in ring growth indices of Picea meyeri was assessed by dendrochronological techniques including response functions, correlation functions and single-year analysis on sandy dunes in the Xilin River basin steppe. The results show that growth of Picea meyeri was sensitive to climate change. Furthermore, it was determined that mean monthly temperature and total monthly precipitation from September of the current year to August of the preceding year can account for about 70% of the variance in the tree-ring width. The rainfalls in February and May of the current year together with that of the previous September were significantly correlated with the current year’s growth pattern. Additionally ,radial growth was negatively correlated with mean monthly temperature in current May. In this region the sandy substrate is characterized by high water infiltration and low soil moisture evaporation rates. As a result, relatively high precipitation from prior August to prior October can be reserved in the sandy soil and the Picea meyeri trees show strong adaptation to the sandy substrate in these se- mi-arid grasslands. Therefore, the establishment of Picea meyeri forest plantations in the sandy belt along the middle reaches of Xilin River are deemed feasible.