Abstract: We review hypotheses on the limitation of tree height growth. The tree maturation hypothesis considers that the change in genetic expression as tissue ages and the number of cell divisions increases may slow growth. The nutrient limitation hypothesis suggests that decreasing nutrient supply from the soil with tree growth leads to a shift in carbon allocation to root production or reduced physiological capacity and, consequently, suppression of height growth. The tissue-respiration hypothesis considers that the fraction of assimilates available for wood production declines as wood biomass and respiration of living cells increases. The hydraulic limitation hypothesis considers that the total hydraulic resistance between the soil and leaves, which induces the leaf stomata closing earlier during the day to avoid cavitation in xylem and lowered time-integrated photosynthesis, increases as trees grow taller. However, several compensation mechanisms, including changes in leaf characteristics with tree height, decreased leaf/sapwood area, increased xylem permeability, and water storage in the stems, may also contribute to maintaining plant water balance under height growth. Although it has strongly been debated, the hydraulic limitation hypothesis has gained much support from empirical results.