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
39
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
90
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: lower slope just west of cliffs at N end of Pond Mountains, Thoroughfare Gap. Not permanently marked. Rock types present: very micaceous phyllite (?) and quartzite debris.
Impressively tall, straight Liriodendron tulipifera (up to 39 m tall and 86 cm DBH) dominate the overstory on this sheltered, mesic slope at the north end of Pond Mountain in Thoroughfare Gap. The soil environment in this plot is heterogeneous, encompassing both a shallow concavity filled with mixed, bouldery colluvium and a more planar area with well developed mineral soil relatively high in base status. Understory growth is lush with Asimina triloba, Lindera benzoin, and Staphylea trifolia, a very uncommon shrub in the Bull Run Mountain area. The herb layer contains a number of characteristic, nutrient-demanding species but was well past its prime on this late sampling date. Shade-tolerant exotic weeds such as Alliaria petiolata are threats to this stand.