Road below creating noise pollution. Disturbed oak hickory forest on ridge above.;Only 1 tree in plot is alive, but all were probably alive 10 years ago. Understory recieves more light than when hemlock was alive. Site is rocky, colluvial, north facing slope. Without hemlock this community may be similar to the Quercus montana - Q. rubra / Dryopteris marginalis forest which predominates on north slopers throughout Harpers Ferry NHP. Hemlocks still stand taller than oaks. Virginia creeper has colonized the dead hemlocks and lower trunks of the living, which appear severley stressed, with live branches only near the top. Cover values are for the live vegetation only, but DBH data is included for the dead hemlocks.
Representativeness
Plot represents small patch of dying stand of hemlock. Plot avoids a large canopy gap which is filled with sun-loving forbs and vines, and so makes a belated attempt to represent an intact mature hemlock-chestnut oak stand.
Appalachian trail passes through community. Road over hill creates noise pollution. Ailianthus altissima and Alliaria petiolata both found in plot.(Exotic plants, trails/roads, hemlock adelgid)