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
37
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
75
%
Field Cover
45
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Directions to plot: take road that follows Park's east boundary, SE about 0.15 mi (around bend and past house) and turn right onto road that crosses through a field and into the park. From forest edge, follow road only about 0.5 mile through open fields. Park before creek crossing and hike across river. Plot is on bluff above river, near Sweeny Dam and Mill site.
Mesic forest on a high ledge over Appomattox River. The sample is dominated by Quercus rubra and Carya spp. of the ovalis/glabra type. Shrub layer is tall and dense, mostly Carpinus caroliniana with Hamamelis virginiana and Fraxinus americana. Herbaceous layer contains rich herbs such as Sanguinaria canadensis. Other high base status indicators present include Adiantum pedatum, Cercis canadensis var. canadensis, Collinsonia canadensis, Juglans nigra. Sample seems to represent a remnant oak forest with large diameter Quercus rubra on a slope that is mostly Liriodendron. May have been spared from clearing due to steepness.