Growing through dry spells: Unveiling tolerance thresholds in three major tree species during soil water scarcity in Central Europe

• Tree species responded differently to short-term dry spells across growth phases. • Beech trees were more drought-resistant than Norway spruce and Scots pine, maintaining stem growth during early and main growth phases. • Scots pine and Norway spruce showed growth reduction after only three consecutive dry days, whereas beech growth declined only in the late phase after seven dry days. • Soil moisture parameters, particularly available soil water (ASW) and soil water potential (SWP), were the