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
32
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
6
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
65
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This well drained floodplain forest along Passage Creek in the Massanutten Mountains was once cleared, except for scattered old sycamores. Old pine logs are still visible on the ground, artifacts of the initial regeneration that occurred after the clearing was abandoned. The vegetation has developed into a fine stand of rich alluvial forest with minimal exotic weeds. The woody flora is relatively diverse, with Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer negundo, Acer rubrum, Ulmus americana, Fraxinus americana, Carpinus caroliniana, Lindera benzoin and Toxicodendron radicans all common to abundant. The herb layer is very lush, with low colonies of Asarum candense and taller Packera aurea dominating the plot area. Many additional herbs are present at lower cover. The site is very well drained but is probably inundated briefly in exceptionally large flood events.