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
34
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
7
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: flats along north side of Catharpin Creek, 0.17 km SE of Rt. 629 bridge. Marked with a metal tree tag. See form/report for sketch. Rock types present: quartzite boulders and stones.
This plot is located in an excellent example of mesophytic hardwood forest occurring on a stream bottom with relatively oligotrophic soils. The mixed overstory contains mature Fagus grandifolia, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus rubra (outside plot), and Acer rubrum. Tilia americana var. americana is a frequent, but unusual tree that is not known elsewhere in the Bull Run Mountains. Carpinus caroliniana and Hamamelis virginiana dominate the understory. The herb layer is patchy but fairly diverse; damage from deer-grazing was noticeable on Eurybia divaricata, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, Carex laxiculmis var. laxiculmis, Carex prasina, and Actaea racemosa.
Soil Nutrient Status: medium.
Variable duff and humus layers.
A = Dark, sandy loam, locally more silty, with many small stones.
Physical Analysis (A-Horizon): 2% clay, 36% silt, 62% sand.