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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
16
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Vegetation may represent an unusual, high-elevation variant of the Quercus rubra - Quercus (montana, alba, velutina) Forest. Virtually all of the characteristic suite of low-cover, somewhat oligotrophic forbs are present: Lysimachia quadrifolia, Solidago arguta, Campanula divaricata, Houstonia longifolia. The abundance of Parthenium integrifolium is unusual and distinctive; it and Liatris graminifolia suggest somewhat magnesium-rich soil (although soil chemistry data do not support this hypothesis) and give the stand an appearance a bit like that of a mafic barren or woodland. This is evidently a successional stand, and abundant Robinia pseudoacacia and Sassafras albidum indicate much higher light levels in the recent past. The USGS Arnold Valley quad map shows this area between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the access road to the summit of Apple Orchard Mountain as almost completely open. Regeneration of Quercus rubra and Q. alba is exceptionally high.
Directions to plot and tree tag:
Plot location was pre-selected in the project's stratified-random sampling design.
Tagged tree is one of triplet Q. rubra (28 cm dbh, tag #414) is located on SE slope ca. 3 m above BRP and dense thicket of Robinia and Rubus. Plot located upslope.
Downed Castanea boles in plot. Frequent wind and ice storms are a salient feature of this vegetation. Past presence of gypsy moth indicated by egg mass scars on at least one tree.