Recent tree mortality and recruitment in mature and old-growth forests in western Washington

•We studied tree mortality and recruitment in mature and old-growth forests.•We established 45 permanent plots from sea-level to 1800m in western Washington.•Annual mortality was generally within the expected range of up to 1%.•Recruitment exceeded mortality for saplings, increasing shade-tolerant species.•Biotic factors predominated as the proximate cause of death for trees of all sizes.