Analyzing asymmetries in the response of European beech to precipitation anomalies in various stand and site conditions using decadal diameter censuses

•Asymmetric effects of precipitation anomalies on beech growth were detected with forest inventories.•More extreme precipitation anomalies had disproportionally large effects on diameter growth.•Growth reductions in dry extremes were 3 times greater than growth increases in wet extremes.•Stand basal area, the social status of a tree and tree species diversity significantly affect growth.