To thoroughly understanding the relationships between tree-ring growth and climate factors, we need to relay on tree physiological models. Simulations on one hand could enhance the interpretation of statistical response functions from a physiological view, on the other hand, may explain the divergences detected in the response function results in some cases, and thus provide additional information about climate effects on tree growth in different environments. Furthermore, the partial influences of each environment on tree growth can be quantified by models. Hence, the advantages of tree physiological models cannot be ignored when engaging in dendroclimatology or dendroecology studies. In this study, we reviewed the V-S, TREE-RING and MAIDENiso models in detail, including their physical mechanisms, operating environment, and their advantages as well as disadvantages. Specifically, with the V-S model, we monitored juniper tree growth process in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, and found that moisture variability was the limiting factor during the main growing season. Modeled results verified statistical analysis in the study region. Compared to TREE-RING and MAIDENiso models, the physical mechanism of V-S is limited,which cannot be used to systematically analyze the process of carbon allocation, storage and remobilization,and thus,could not present tree growth responses to increasing atmospheric CO_2 concentration over the past 150 years. However, the model only needs daily mean temperature and accumulated precipitation as inputs, enabling ring width simulations in any location where daily climate records exist. Therefore, V-S model has been widely used up to now. Perhaps the most complete of tree physiological models, incorporating processes linking environmental conditions to tree-ring characteristics via photosynthesis, respiration, carbon storage, and cambial processes, are TREE-RING and MAIDENiso models. They can be used to investigate the imprints of increasing CO_2 concentration on tree growth. But, the main limitation of the two models is the delta~(18)O data of daily precipitation unavailable in most regions. Overall, tree physiological models have been continuously developed during the past years, which improved our understanding of tree growth and climate factors to some extent. More detailed information in the complicated tree ecophysiological process and other non-climatic influences under current climate change context will help to the thorough improvement of tree growth models.