Releve Virginia Division of Natural Heritage, see http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/nh_plotform_instructions.pdf
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Observation Area
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
33
m
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: bluff-like slope on E flank of ravine, 0.65 miles SW of eastern jct US15 and Rt 858.
This site is a steep, convex, ravine bluff, with soils probably shallow to bedrock, supporting a forest dominated by rugged, old Quercus montana. Fagus grandifolia is an overstory associate and present in all lower strata. Oxydendrum arboreum dominates the understory, while Kalmia latifolia (50-75% cover) comprises most of a dense shrub layer. This stand fits well the concept of "Piedmont/Coastal Plain Heath Bluff" (sensu Schafale and Weakley 1990).