Plot is located on a south flank of a NW - SE running ridge. The surrounding land is forested and managed by the WVDNR. Downslope this community continues. The N slopes are more mesic with Tsuga canadensis and Fagus grandifolia (LALA.2). The E facing slopes are mixed oak hickory forests. The W facing slopes are Oak / Heath.;Xeric forest growing on a boundary shoulderslope with a southerly aspect. The overstory is dominated by rock oak, pitch pine and virginia pine. The forset floor is covered with S2 black huckleberry. There are several car sized sandstone boulders at the top of the plot. The overstory is relatively short with average dbh's in the 20cm range. Perhaps the pine came in after a fire? No obvious signs of anthropological disturbance.
Representativeness
Small patch of xeric mixed evergreen - deciduous forest on a south facing shoulderslope. Similar to chestnut oak - pitch pine sampled in the WAP, the ridge and valley, and the Allegheny Uplands.
