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
25
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
25
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The vegetation in this plot is representative of a narrow zone along the crest of Garden Mountain, where large-diameter oaks dominate the forest. On the north slope of the mountain, sugar maple, red oak, and birches are prevalent in northern hardwoods (see plots JWNF003 and 004); on much of the south slope, younger oak / heath forests prevail (see plot JWNF011). Northern red oak is the dominant tree in the sampled stand (and on much of the nearby crest), although some chestnut oak is also associated. The canopy trees are relatively short and somewhat gnarled from repeated exposure to wind and ice. Oak recruitment is completely lacking in the understory of this stand, where red maple and some sugar maple are likely mesophytic successors.
Extensive die-back of understory trees (Acer pensylvanicum, etc.), probably from drought stress, throughout stand; these trees are currently resprouting from the base. Coarse woody debris from two large fallen trees and branches is common.
