Social status-mediated tree-ring responses to climate of Abies alba and Fagus sylvatica shift in importance with increasing stand basal area

•We study tree-ring responses to climate of Abies alba and Fagus sylvatica.•We consider competition at stand and individual tree levels.•Climatic drivers are different between both species.•Competition at stand level prevails on competition at tree level.•Sensitivity to summer drought increases with dominancy in high stand basal area. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of competition at both stand and tree levels on climate tree-growth relationships of 414 Abies alba and 243 Fagus sylvatica trees growing in 2 contrasting ecological conditions (north- and south-facing) under mountainous continental climate (mean altitude: 886m). Stand level competition was considered through three stand basal area (SBA) modalities (Low: 32m2/ha, Medium: 41 and High: 49) while tree level competition was assessed through three social statuses (SST, Dominant, Codominant and Suppressed trees). A strong specific response to climate was pointed out with different key periods; growth of Abies being mainly driven by previous and current late summer temperatures, while that of Fagus was controlled by April and June ones. No obvious difference between facing sides was evidenced. Competition at stand level prevailed on competition at tree level. In Low and Medium SBA, trees exhibited similar responses to climate whatever their social statuses. On the opposite, sensitivity to summer drought increased with dominancy in high SBA. Inter-specific differences and consequences for forest management are discussed.