Understanding tree growth is important for tasks such as maintenance and preservation of urban historical parks. One of the major components of such parks is sure a stand. Ageing trees are in a state of fragile biological and ecological balance, which can be easily upset by necessary technical or maintenance works related to the process of restoration, modernization or adaptation of the site to new functions. Unfortunately, these actions are frequently performed in the immediate vicinity without taking into account the presence of valuable park trees.\nThe aim of this publication is to present how such changes influence tree growth in example of two Warsaw parks: Królikarnia and Ursynów. The sites are situated in similar locations and share many historical, compositional and biological characteristics. The significant difference is that during last fifty years Królikarnia park did not undergo any modernization, whereas Ursynów park did. Two stand inventories taken recently in both parks facilitate analysis of trees responses in trunk increments.\nPresented research covers three species prevailing in both parks: Acer platanoides L., Tilia cordata Mill. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. Two classes have been identified: first one includes trees growing in an undisturbed habitat; the second includes trees which were exposed to technical infrastructure renewal works (both surface and underground) related to park modernization. The study involved the comparison of mean annual trunk circumference increments (Zc) using independent samples from both classes for the three selected species with application of the student’s T-test (Statistica 10.0 software). A coefficient of significance (p) and standard deviation (±s) was established for Zc values. Comparison of increments in both classes shows significant statistical differences (p<0.05) for all three species. The study presents an unambiguous response to adverse changes in habitat affecting root zone manifested on an average threefold decrease in trunk circumference increments.