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Natural disturbances can maintain forest diversity by creating a heterogeneous resource landscape, which can contribute to coexistence of early- and late-successional species. However, almost all forested ecosystems are also subject to multiple anthropogenic stressors, which could inhibit plant diversity and forest recovery after natural disturbances. Here, we present the first large-scale replicated field experiment testing the interactions among two natural and two anthropogenic disturbances in a mature secondary temperate forest. Specifically, we test the extent to which: 1. a natural windthrow (tornado), 2. deer browsing, 3. salvage logging, a common forestry practice to generate revenue after natural disturbances, and 4. mechanical removal of the understory, drive subsequent plant community assembly, diversity, and abundance. Our results have two clear messages. First, the combined disturbances, especially …