Clarifying how trees grow along a latitude gradient can reveal differences in their growth strategies for occupying space and biomass investments in natural forests. For revealing that, we flew UAV-lidar in many (currently 11) 1-ha permanent sample forest plots, and forest structural parameters (canopy heights and crown areas (CA)) were determined. The efficiency of biomass increment (EBI, growth rate per unit biomass) was analyzed with the product of space occupation efficiency (SOE, CA per unit biomass) and space use efficiency (SUE, growth rate per unit CA). CA was strongly correlated with biomass, and the growth rates were strongly correlated with CA but both with significant variation among sites (p < 0.001). The site-specific slopes of CA – biomass relationships were not correlated with latitude (p = 0.62) but those of growth rate – CA relationships were marginally negatively correlated with latitudes (p = 0.09) suggesting a higher trend of SUE in lower latitudinal (warmer) areas. No significant trends with EBI along the latitudes. Functional type composition may explain cross-site patterns: deciduous species excel in space occupation, while evergreens are more efficient in space utilization (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the study highlights differences in trees' growth strategies and light use across latitudes and functional types.