The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of climate and competition on the radial growth and drought vulnerability of Robinia pseudoacacia (locust). Dendroclimatology was used to characterize the recovery, resilience, and chronology of locust in two sites varying in tree density (Minquan and Jiyuan, Henan Province). The correlations between the radial growth of locust and meteorological factors were determined, and the drought vulnerability of locust during drought periods was estimated by measuring the breast area increase (BAI). There was no significant difference in the radial growth of locust at sites varying in locust density in the early growth stage. The ring width and BAI of locust became increasingly lower at the high-density site than at the low-density site with growth (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index, precipitation, relative humidity, temperature, and the saturated vapor pressure deficit were important factors affecting the growth of locust during the growing season. Path analysis revealed that precipitation and temperature were the key factors affecting the annual growth of locust. The ring width and BAI of locust decreased under drought, and the recovery, resilience, and relative resilience of locust were significantly higher at the low-density site than at the high-density site (P<0.05). The growth of locust at both sites recovered after the first drought event, but growth did not return to its pre-drought level. After several drought events, the relative resilience of locust at the high-density site was equal to or less than 0, indicating that its growth did not return to the pre-drought level because of the multiple drought events. Locust at the low-density site still exhibited high resilience after three droughts; however, the relative resilience of locust at the high-density site decreased substantially, and the risk of death under future droughts increased after the second drought event. Overall, our findings provide the important insights into the effect of climate and density on the growth of locust in warm temperate areas as well as a new perspective on the study of locust recovery and resilience.