The purpose of this study is to determine the growth process of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and its relationship with climate and elevation in the Luoyugou watershed of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Standard chronologies of black locust trees were measured at high, middle, and low elevation areas using dendrochronology method. The results indicated that the radial growth of black locust at middle and low elevation areas were negatively correlated with temperature factors; however, a positive correlation between temperature and radial growth of black locusts was observed at high elevation. In addition, black locust growth at high elevation was positively correlated with the mean temperature, minimum temperature, and maximum temperature during the previous year (June), dormant period (March-April), and current growing season (June). At middle and low elevation areas, the black locust growth were negatively correlated with the mean temperature, minimum temperature, and maximum temperature during the previous and current growing seasons. Black locust growth at low elevation was also significantly affected by the mean temperature. With elevation, a decreasing trend in the positive correlations between radial growth, precipitation, and relative humidity was observed. Black locust growth at low elevation was positively correlated with the precipitation and relative humidity during the previous year (July-September) and current growing season (June-September). At middle elevation, black locust growth was positively correlated with the precipitation and relative humidity during the current growing season (June-September), while the growth of black locust at high elevation was negatively correlated with the relative humidity during the previous growth season (June and July). At low elevation, black locust growth was positively correlated with the Palmer drought index (PDSI) from June of the previous year to October of the current year, whereas black locust growth at middle elevation was positively correlated with the PDSI in June of the previous year and in February-October of the current year. A significantly negative correlation was observed between high elevation black locust growth and PDSI in June-July of the previous year. Black locust growth at middle and low elevation areas were subjected to drought stress, which restricted tree growth. Under climatic warming and drying background conditions, black locusts experienced more severe water stress at middle and low elevation areas in the Luoyugou Watershed. Thus, while implementing biological management strategies aimed at soil and water loss prevention in the hilly areas of the Loess Plateau, elevation differences in the responses of black locust forest growth should be considered.