Background <p>The classic growth rate hypothesis (GRH) suggests a direct relationship between rapid growth rates, higher phosphorus (P) concentrations, and lower nitrogen (N):P ratios. However, the applicability of GRH in forest ecosystems in the context of forest succession remains uncertain.</p> Methods <p>This study investigated nutrient acquisition (via soil uptake and nutrient resorption), leaf stoichiometry, and tree growth rates across four successional stages in a mixed broadleaved–Korean pine (<i>Pinus koraiensis</i>) forest of Northeast China. We focused on various tree species in the&#xa0;temperate forest ecosystem to understand how these processes change through succession.</p> Results <p>Our findings indicate that nitrogen limitation is a key factor throughout the successional chronosequence. Nitrogen resorption efficiency (NRE) increased, while the nitrogen root-soil accumulation factor (NRSAF) decreased over time, suggesting an intensification of N deficiency during succession. Consequently, late successional species exhibited more conservative N use compared to early successional species. In contrast, phosphorus cycling (PRE and PRSAF) remained relatively stable. Leaf N and P concentrations increased significantly with succession, while the N:P ratio remained relatively constant. However, tree growth rate showed a significant decline through succession, displaying a non-significant correlation with leaf N and P stoichiometry.</p> Conclusions <p>These results imply that in natural forest ecosystems, changes in plant survival strategies due to species turnover may have led to the decoupling of leaf stoichiometry from growth rate. In forest ecosystems, GRH should be used with caution based on a thorough understanding of plant survival strategies. This nuanced understanding challenges the traditional GRH and highlights the complexity of the relationship between nutrient dynamics and growth rate in natural forest succession.</p>