Climate warming predispose sessile oak forests to drought-induced tree mortality regardless of management legacies

• Climate warming and droughts impact growth in central European oak forests. Growth shifts old-growth managed Quercus petraea declining trees are identified. sensitivity forests is higher than Past use legacies stand structure drive sensitivity. Managed more vulnerable under forecasted climate-warming. warming-related drought could become a major driver of large-scale forest dieback. However, little known about how past management modulate the climate-growth responses during recent dieback episodes Here, we examine role played by –unmanaged vs. forests– tree mortality events occurring (Matt.) Liebl. stands across large areas western Romania. We analyze (tree size, competition) climatic factors (drought, temperature precipitation) radial patterns neighboring standing dead living trees. analyzed basal area increments (BAI) trends, climate- drought-growth relationships 20th century to distinguish roles interactions on warming-induced observed that rises changes atmospheric water demand growing season let increasing stress late affecting both unmanaged Dead from showed lower after onset. In forests, displayed divergent dry 1980s, indicating was triggered severe extreme conditions. experienced significant stronger reductions 1980s though they less tree-to-tree competition forest. High density negatively drove enhanced climate stands. Competition acted synergistically with causing regardless Q. Our retrospective assessment rates relation offers valuable information for further conservation decisions These findings highlight importance uses driving temperate making them climate-warming related Europe.