Pine growth response to processionary moth defoliation across a 40-year chronosequence

► Pine processionary moth and artificial defoliations caused significant growth losses. ► Radial growth loss was proportional to defoliation intensity and lasted 2 years. ► Old and highly defoliated trees were subsequently killed by bark beetles. ► Defoliation also affected carbon and nitrogen contents in stem and needles. ► Defoliation is likely to affect stem growth through N and C resources limitation.