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
13
m
Shrub Height
3
m
Field Height
6
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
60
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A steep, very open, woodland stand of Carya ovalis and Quercus spp., with erosive shale soils supporting a variety of graminoids and drought-tolerant forbs. The plot location was interpreted as a "glade" by Natural Heritage botanists in 1989. However, it lacks major rock outcrops, as well as obligate species of barrens. Composition is similar to more closed stands of montane oak-hickory forest on the upper slope of the ridge, although it appears to contain more xerophytes.
The largest trees are oaks, but Carya ovalis is most abundant and primarily in the sub-canopy. Two large chestnut oaks overhang the plot and contribute significant cover for the species.