Influence of soil properties on silver fir ( Abies alba Mill.) growth in the Dinaric Mountains

•Soil probing revealed high variability of soil development in the Dinaric Mountains.•Stem analysis of 65 dominant silver fir trees displayed differences in height growth.•Tree age and soil parameters were the key factors for height growth of trees.•Competition intensity and soil parameters were the key factors for radial growth.•The influence of competition on radial increment was the highest on leached soils.