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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
31
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Mature to older growth forest near the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Numerous trees exceed 50 cm dbh. Concentration of large trees limited to area of ca. 1500 sq. m. Oak seedlings are rather abundant, but there is only minor regeneration > 1 m tall. Herb layer is diverse but relatively sparse and contains no species of note. Stand has evidently not been logged for well over a century, but minor disturbance has created small gaps. Some exotics present along a trail which cuts through upper portion of stand.
Directions to plot and tree tag:
From Smart View picnic area, take hiking trail south towards Cannady Gap. Near knoll on left at edge of Escarpment, look for stand of large trees to the right. Point located ca. 50m from trail.
Tagged tree is a Quercus alba of 56cm dbh with tag# 485. Conduit is at a bearing of 53 degrees and 7.8m from tree.
Plot location selected by DNH Ecologists in the field.
