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
41
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
80
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A somewhat unusual acidic cove forest that is traversed by the Appalachian Trail at the south foot of Chestnut Ridge. This forest is extensive and occupies the broad cove bottom and adjoining lower slopes along a major tributary of Lick Creek. The stand is noteworthy for its large white pines and diversity of overstory hardwoods; some hemlock also occurs, but is relegated to the understory in many areas. The presence of scattered Aesculus flava, Tilia americana var. heterophylla, and Lindera benzoin, as well as exceptionally high herbaceous richness, probably result from soils that are more base-rich than typical for this type of vegetation. Microtopography is very irregular, with old anthropogenic disturbances suggestive of narrow-gauge railroad beds and cable logging activities.