Large patch of forest along the W flank of a N-S running mountain most of which is owned and managed by the USFS. I have been following the limestone band N from a privately owned farm. The noses are dry and oaky, along the runs where it is moist are high elevation northern hardwoods (basswood, birch, and tuliptree) over a dense cover of Laportea canadensis and Virginia bluebells. Circa 30 m east of the plot is an old road/railgrade.;Gently sloping bench on the W facing flank of McGowen Mountain. The forst is open and sterile. The limestone band which is supposed to be here is apparently underneath the Pottsville sandstone which lies on the surface of the plot. There are a few barkless stumps within the stand. There is a large fire scarred snag just outside the plot.
Representativeness
Large patch of sterile oak forest on large W facing ridge nose of McGowen Mountain. Plot was placed where the limestone geology is mapped. Although the site doesn't look to be influenced by limestone.