Both climate sensitivity and growth trend of European beech decrease in the North German Lowlands, while Scots pine still thrives, despite growing sensitivity

Abstract Key message Beech and pine respond differently to climate change. June precipitation is of particular influence for beech, February/March temperature pine. Climate warming exposes forests increasing abiotic stress, demanding difficult silvicultural decisions about the right choice future timber species. Scots ( Pinus sylvestris ) European beech Fagus sylvatica are major species in North German Lowlands, which have suffered from recent hot droughts, thus raising concern their suitability production region. We investigated sensitivity tree growth long-term trends ten paired along a gradient Lowlands with aim compare species’ search species-specific climatic thresholds. In majority stands, basal area increment (BAI) has lost its positive trend since 1980s or declined then, while BAI continually increased. Long-term change study region more important determinant than amount MAP, largely dependent on warmth February/March. Yet, also sensitive dry mid summers, toward low MAP. significantly dominant drought signal persisted conclude that affecting radial both revealing signs vulnerability suggesting drier part preference drought-tolerant hardwood over