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Due to the expected increases of number and intensity of summer droughts in Central Europe the identiWcation of drought tolerant ecotypes becomes more important in future forestry. A common garden experiment with seedlings of Fagus sylvatica provenances from the center (Germany) and eastern margin (Poland) of the species' distribution range was conducted. Responses of morphological, physiological, chemical and growth parameters to three drought treatments were analyzed. Relative growth rates of the marginal provenance were lower as compared to the central provenance. The marginal seedlings showed a tendency to higher total biomasses because of higher seed masses. In both provenances drought decreased biomass production and root/shoot ratio which was lower in the central provenance. A lower speciWc root area of the marginal provenance indicated a better adaptation to low xylem water potentials. Under moderate drought, lower leaf 13 C signatures may indicate lower stomatal limitation (or a reduced rate of CO 2 assimilation) in the marginal provenance. We conclude that marginal beech provenances may exhibit a better drought adaptation.

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