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
32
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
12
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Directions to plot and tree tag:
Take road from cabins (gated) - pass trail turn off with footbridge. Follow road to 2nd footbridge crossing main creek. Tributary enters main creek from W. Follow tributary W to where topography gets very steep on N-side. Go S toward plot on left side of stream. Plot is ~60-70m from stream at a bearing of 202 degrees. Keep moderately dense Rhododendron on left, to right is hill and E-facing slope. Plot is on S side of tributary in cove. Tagged tree is one of the few white ash in cove. Tagged tree is a Fraxinus americana of 43 cm dbh with tag #151. Conduit is at a bearing of 228 degrees and 8 m from tree.
Plot location was pre-selected by the project's stratified random sampling design.
Cut over cove forest dominated by Liriodendron tulipifera and Robinia pseudoacacia but with characteristic herbs. Sugar maple dominates the tall shrub/subcanopy - but most trees are defoliated or with browning leaves. Also true with Acer pensylvanicum. The most frequent herbs are Cryptotaenia canadensis, Osmorhiza claytonii, Medeola virginiana, Prenanthes altissima, Chamaelirium luteum, Solidago flexicaulis. Ginseng noted in plot and within 1.0ha (`20 plants total). Outside of 0.1ha - canopy Juglans nigra, also 8- dead Tsuga.
Deer scat and game trail through plot.
Many downed trees, possibly wind.
Acer saccharum and Acer pensylvanicum largely defoliated or with browning leaves.