Tall shrub ( Alder/Rhododendron/Ilex) to the north. This forest continues to the south beyond a small Leersia E6 stream ( see obs. pts. 1&2 ). The larch forest gradually becomes woodland as it approaches Muddy Creek. Farmland surroundes Cranesville Swamp, but there is a good upland forest buffer to the west of the plot.;Nature conservancy preserve (40 years of protection). Old fence posts indicate fence line once ran through plot. TNC "posted " sign on one of the large larch trees. Probably mid-successional larch forest with good regeneration (larch is in the S1 layer). No particular current disturbance observed. Forest is distinctly stratified. Some patches have dense shrub cover making navigation difficult. Very little dead wood or forest floor structure, probably indicating the relatively short time that this forest has been protected. A 41 cm dbh larch was cored and it appeared to be at least 33 years of age. The core was incomplete due to heart rot.
Representativeness
Irregular patches of larch forest extend over parts of northern Cranesville Swamp. The plot was placed to avoid the adjacent tall shrub community and streamside Leersia stand. This stand has relatively large, old trees,compared to much of the Larch woodla
