A network of six tree-ring width chronologies for black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) plantation on the Loess Plateau along the precipitation gradients (from 420 mm to 600 mm) was constructed. The dendroclimatological techniques were used to assess the impact of climatic factors on radial tree growth of black locust trees exposed to the increasing drought stress. The results indicated that tree-ring indices of black locust plantations in the north of Yan'an (annual total precipitation about 500 mm) had experienced severe growth reductions since the 1990s, and the signal of tree growth decline was evident. In contrast, black locust plantation in the south of Yan'an (annual total precipitation more than 500 mm) have experienced overall positive growth trend since the 1990s, and no signal of tree growth decline was found. Correlation analysis between tree-ring chronologies and climatic data (monthly and seasonally) indicated that radial growth of black locust trees in Yan'an site had the higher climatic sensitivity, representing significantly negative correlation with temperature and positive correlations with precipitation and Palmer Drought Severity Index. However, the radial growth of black locust trees sampled from north and south of Yan'an site both had lower climatic sensitivity, and no determined associated patterns between tree rings and climate variables were found. Multiple linear regression models between tree-ring data and the climatic variables most influential for radial growth indicated that the explained variance of climate for radial growth of black locust trees was highest in Yan'an site and reached the significant level. In contrast, the explained variance for sites northern and southern of Yan'an sites were comparatively lower and did not reached the significant level. Yan'an site is located in the forest-steppe transition zone in the middle area of the Loess Plateau, where tree annual growth is most sensitive to fluctuations of external environment factors and climatic signal in tree rings is strong. The sample sites south of Yan'an site is located in the typical forest vegetation zone, where climatic conditions are suitable for radial growth of black locust plantations and climatic signal in tree rings is weak. The sample sites north of Yan'an site are located in the typical steppe vegetation zone, where climatic conditions are harsh and black locust trees maybe has developed adaptable strategy dealing with dry climatic condition. Consequently, the climatic signals of tree rings in those site were also relatively weak. Our results should benefit the understanding of site-specific growth-climate patterns for black locust plantations under drought stress conditions on the Loess Plateau, China.