Forests worldwide are increasingly impacted by drought due to climate change, prompting plants to adapt through dehydration tolerance (DT) and avoidance (DA), two distinct physiological strategies. However, how these strategies are coordinated in response to varying precipitation remains unclear. To address this gap, we investigated key hydraulic traits associated with DT and DA in eleven oaks (Quercus spp.) across a broad precipitation gradient (498-1793 mm yr^-1) in China. Specifically, we measured three DT traits: water potential at 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity (Ψ_P50), leaf turgor loss point water potential (Ψ_TLP), and wood density (WD), as well as four DA traits: water potential at stomatal closure (Ψ_close), minimum leaf conductance, branch capacitance, and leaf-to-sapwood area ratio (A_L:A_S). When analyzed collectively, most traits showed no significant relationship with precipitation or aridity. However, distinct patterns emerged when data were analyzed by leaf habit. In evergreens, trait variation was largely and independently explained by mean annual precipitation (MAP), with stronger DT (lower Ψ_P50 and Ψ_TLP, higher WD) and enhanced DA (smaller A_L:A_S) under drier conditions. In contrast, deciduous species showed weaker DT (higher Ψ_P50) but stronger DA (higher Ψ_close and lower A_L:A_S) as precipitation decreased, with much variance driven by interactions between MAP and mean annual temperature (MAT). Notably, DT and DA traits were strongly correlated in evergreens but weakly associated in deciduous species. Our results show that evergreen oaks rely on both DT and DA strategies for drought adaptation, whereas deciduous species primarily depend on DA mechanisms. Considering DT alone is insufficient, and incorporating multiple DA strategies is essential for a mechanistic framework to understand forest responses. We highlight the need to integrate leaf habit and complementary drought strategies into predictive models and climate-resilient forest management practices.