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
18
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
75
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This forest is somewhat transitional between the high-elevation northern red oak vegetation that occupies the higher ridges in this part of the Ridge and Valley and more mixed oak/heath forests of middle-elevation slopes. For the most part, the overall floristic composition resembles the red oak type, but Quercus montana and Nyssa sylvatica (which are not typical) are present in considerable numbers. This stand was probably dominated or do-dominated by Castanea dentata at one time, judging from the large number of sprouts. Although the largest trees in the stand are of Quercus montana, Quercus rubra dominates in total density and exhibits much more extensive recruitment in all age classes.