Wilderness area with little evidence of human visitation. Downslope to North is mesic Oak forest, then further down is more xeric Oak / ericad forest with abundant Galax.;Flat ridgetop, about 30m wide, on sandstone with somewhat enriched soil compared to colluvial slopes below. Community is a forest of fairly tall Red Oaks with subcanopy of Hickory. There is little - no - Oak regeneration probably due to heavy deer herbivory. The herb layer is codominated by Black Cohosh and Muhley grass. Browse evident on herb layer (Liliaceae, Ageratina) and by lack of woody regeneration.
Representativeness
Narrow zone of Oak - Hickory on a flat ridgetop. Plot includes one larger Red Oak and several of average age / size.