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
35
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
10
%
Field Cover
80
%
Nonvascular Cover
35
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Resample of 13-year old permanent plot. Corners are now monumented with rebar stakes painted light blue.
The most significant change in this plot since 2001 has been the death of the impressive (108 cm DBH), old-growth Quercus montana tag tree at the south end of the plot. The loss of this single tree has resulted in a very significant reduction of stand basal area. All the other large and medium-sized trees are still present. This stand is a bit unusual in having about ten Quercus montana in the subcanopy, and a relatively low density of Acer rubrum recruitment. The herb layer is still dominated by part of a clone of Aralia nudicaulis that covers at least several hectares on the upper west and north slopes of High Point Mountain; the cover of this species in the plot appears to have increased from 25-50% in 2001 to 50-75% in 2014. Microstegium vimineum was newly recorded in 2014, albeit in very low numbers. It remains to be seen whether this bouldery and densely vegetated habitat will be suitable for it to persist and spread.
