I am interested in the growth rate of the poly-$\mathbb{Z}$ group. Let $G$ be a poly-$\mathbb{Z}$ group, i.e $$G =(\dots((\mathbb{Z} \rtimes_{\phi_1} \mathbb{Z})\rtimes_{\phi_2} \mathbb{Z}) \rtimes_{\phi_3} \mathbb{Z} \dots ) \rtimes_{\phi_{n-1}} \mathbb{Z}$$ What are the necessary and sufficient conditions $\phi_{i}$ need to have for $G$ to have polynomial growth?



**Thoughts**: we know that $G$ can only have exponential or polynomial growth. According to [this paper][1], every $\phi_{i}$ corresponds to a matrix $M_i$ in $ \operatorname{GL}(m_i, \mathbb{Z})$. 
Also, from this [post][2], when  $\phi_1, \dots, \phi_{n-2}$ represent the identity automorphisms, we can determine the growth of $G$ by looking at the eigenvalue of $M_{n-1}$. 
I was wondering if there are any known results that allow us to tell the growth rate of general poly-$\mathbb{Z}$ group $G$ by looking at the matrices $M_i$?

Any references for this question would be really appreciated.




 [1]:https://academic.oup.com/blms/article-abstract/26/6/543/400922?redirectedFrom=PDF
[2]:https://mathoverflow.net/q/139158/479955