Tree-level stomatal regulation is more closely related to xylem hydraulic traits than to leaf photosynthetic traits across diverse tree species

•Xylem hydraulic traits were highly correlated to tree-level stomatal regulation.•Leaf photosynthetic traits showed no correlations with Lcond.•Tree species with higher hydraulic efficiency took isohydric stomatal regulation.•Species inhabiting humid region adopt avoidance strategy in stomatal regulation.•Lcond displayed a phylogenetic signal with a low Blomberg's K.