Different tree-ring width sensitivities to satellite-based soil moisture from dry, moderate and wet pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) stands across a southeastern distribution margin.

Abstract Associations of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) radial growth with satellite-based soil moisture (SM) during the intensive tree growth period over a 30-year time span (1980–2010) were analyzed. This study included tree-ring width (TRW) chronologies from 22 stands located in four southeastern (SE) European countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria), which were grouped into three wetness groups (WGs): dry ( 750 mm), following the annual sum of precipitation. High correlation strengths during the intensive growth period—late spring and early summer months (April to June) was noted, which was opposite to the trend in late summer months. Variations in detrended TRW (TRWi) sensitivity to SM were also observed among the WGs. Specifically, the TRWi chronologies from the dry and wet WGs provided a greater number of significant correlations (p