The δ2H values of lignin methoxyl of 660 tree-ring cores were analyzed. δ2H values differ within and between trees by ≤ 10 and ≤ 28 mUr or ‰, respectively. Species-specific differences in the apparent isotope fractionation were found. The potential use of δ2H of lignin methoxyl as a paleotemperature proxy was tested. For this approach European beech trees showed most potential.