Provenance differentiation in growth and climate tolerance of Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.)

• The identification of suitable tree provenances with regard to growth and climate sensitivity serves to provide high-quality forest reproductive material for forestry practitioners. • Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) showed a high plastic response in wood anatomical traits to environmental conditions while signals of local adaptation were weak. • In terms of growth and reaction to extreme events, provenances from Germany are superior to those from the natural distribution area in North America and should therefore be implemented in provenance recommendations.