well there is system in place but not sure if devs implemented it if you destroy tree and stump it dont grow back but once that happens another tree appears in the world no matter what as long as area is not terraformed the tree that was destroyed will appear somwhere in the world...
Personally I'm starting to think that if a tree's stump is removed it shouldn't grow back at all. It's going to be funny when people start making tribes called "Save the trees foundation" lol.
I had read somewhere that a stump would prevent a new tree from growing in that spot. I also suspect (but have nothing to back it up) that tree respawn cycle my be based off of to the same timer as decay. If that's the case, then trees wont regrow until decay is turned on. But again that is pure speculation on my part.