GW National Forest. Ridgetop is mostly younger stands of Oak - Pine on this part of Great North Mtn. Some invasives (garlic mustard, Japanese stiltgrass) occur in patches along ridgetop trail. Oak die - off from gypsy moth / Armelaria infestation has left many snags and openings.;Ridgetop Chestnut Oak - Pitch Pine woodland on sandstone ledges with Heath and Striped Maple understory. Canopy is very short due to wind damage and probable younger age of stand. This west - facing woodland is just below a scrub - shrub ridgetop that has been cleared in the past, and suffered from gypsy moth Oak mortality.
Representativeness
Plot was placed to sample ridgetop Oak - Pine - Heath woodland within high wind resource polygon. Community extends along the ridgeline in a long linear patch.