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
28
m
Shrub Height
3
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Directions to Plot: N on Route 24 from West Park entrance. First left past Park entrance; approx. 500 m before main visitor center entrance. Follow road approx. 0.5 mi to small road turning left at end of field. Go N on road until it T's with powerline. Left on powerline for approx. 0.2 mile, then hike approx.. 0.1 mi NW to plot.
Sample captures a slope forest dominated by Quercus alba and Carya ovalis. Other species in canopy include Quercus stellata, Carya glabra, Carya alba. Short shrubs are mostly Quercus alba seedlings but with Fraxinus americana and some Vaccinium pallidum / stamineum. Herbs are typical of subxeric to submesic oak forests - scattered forbs with little cover and a mix of sedges. Several large trees have had crowns blown out in the past - crowns in plot with broken trunks and resprouting. Surrounding area was logged and has much young hardwood regeneration.