The high tree mortality during the dry and hot years 2018-2019 in Europe affected not only even-aged and monospecific conifer stands but also semi-natural Fagus sylvatica L. (European beech) forests. This has triggered concerns on the future of European beech forests under climate change and raised questions as to whether forest management may increase tree mortality rates through creating more open canopies. We compared long-term mortality rates of beech between strict forest reserves and adjacent...