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This study reviewed the distribution of ten common savanna trees in Namibia. Tree distributions were investigated in relation to bioclimatic, topographic and edaphic variables at a national scale. The factors of importance at these broad geographic scales appeared to be rainfall, substrate and, likely, the incidence of frost. Baikiaea plurijuga, Burkea africana, Guibourtia coleosperma and Pterocarpus angolensis seem to reach their bioclimatic limits in Namibia. At the local level, plant traits become important and contribute to explaining distribution patterns. High water and/or nitrogen use efficiency (Acacia erioloba, Colophospermum mopane), dual water obtaining strategies (Faidherbia albida), fire tolerance (e.g. Acacia species, Burkea africana and Pterocarpus angolensis) and drought tolerance (Boscia albitrunca) are some key attributes providing additional explanations for current distributions. Amongst the selected trees and at broad geographic scales, below-ground adaptations are governed by rainfall regime in combination with coarse-textured soils, whereby shallow-rooted trees prevail in the Kalahari sandveld. Deep-rooted species are found largely on non-sandy soils. Physiological performance of many trees appears to be directly linked to rainfall regime and trees may hence show varying performance throughout their distribution range. Insight into plant functional attributes of trees in Namibia is required to develop appropriate management strategies in the light of climate change. Modelling climate change impacts should consider the relative contribution of bioclimatic versus local environmental factors that explain the current distribution patterns of the selected trees.