This study analysed climate change in the eu-Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean areas of the Istrian Peninsula, Croatia, and examined the influence of climatic conditions on crown defoliation in pubescent oak and Aleppo pine. Climate data from representative meteorological stations for the period 1980–2022 and crown defoliation data for 2000–2023 were analysed. Drought conditions were assessed using potential evapotranspiration, rainfall anomaly indices, and the number of dry months. The results indicated a significant increase in mean annual air temperature and potential evapotranspiration throughout the Istrian region, with temperatures rising by 0.8–1.2 °C compared to the reference period. Southern Istria experienced three dry months, characteristic of the steno-Mediterranean vegetation zone, indicating increasing aridity. The highest proportion of trees was recorded in the 26–60% defoliation class, including 54% of Aleppo pine and 59% of pubescent oak trees. Crown defoliation showed significant correlations with precipitation, rainfall anomaly index, and air temperature. Higher temperatures were associated with moderate defoliation levels, while lower minimum temperatures negatively affected severely defoliated Aleppo pine trees. No statistically significant differences in crown defoliation were found between pubescent oak and Aleppo pine.

Climate change and increasing climate extremes can jeopardise the stability of urban forest ecosystems, damage trees and cause their decline and death. The aim of this study was to analyse the intensity and causes of sanitary felling and their correlations with climate variables and age of sessile oak (Quercus petraea), common beech (Fagus sylvatica), European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) in urban forests in the City of Zagreb in the period 1994–2020. The intensity of sanitary felling was analysed based on the listed causes and correlated with temperature, precipitation, wind speed, drought indices and tree age. The results revealed species-specific differences in sanitary felling intensity and its associations with selected climatic variables and stand age. Statistically significant correlations were identified between sanitary felling intensity and precipitation anomalies in sessile oak and black locust and between sanitary felling intensity and mean annual air temperature in common beech. However, these associations should not be interpreted as evidence of direct climatic effects on tree mortality, as sanitary felling is also influenced by management decisions and local environmental conditions. The findings highlight the value of long-term sanitary felling records for identifying patterns of tree removal and their associations with climatic variability in urban forests.