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
36
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
100
%
Shrub Cover
25
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: 0.25 km SE of the main house at Roland Farm, 1.10 km SW of High Point Mtn. Summit. Not permanently marked. Rock types present: mixed metasedimentary boulders and debris.
This plot is representative of fairly mature, mesophytic forest that occupies a portion of the lower, west slope of High Point Mountain. This stand has a mixed overstory of medium- to large-sized Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, and Carya spp. The plot captures a relatively lush herbaceous layer favored by a small concavity in the slope; over most of the stand, the herbaceous layer is rather sparse, apparently because of heavy deer grazing. Soil collected here had the highest Mg and Mn, and third highest pH, Ca, and total base saturation, among 72 plots sampled in the Bull Run Mountains. Although physical analysis of soil and examination of surface rocks both suggest that these soils are derived from metasedimentary colluvium, it seems possible that underlying, base-saturated Catoctin metabasalt contributes to soil fertility at this site.
The following plants from this plot were noticeably damaged by herbivory: Cornus florida, Lindera benzoin, Carex laxiflora, Actaea racemosa, Galium circaezans, Phryma leptostachya, and Uvularia perfoliata.