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
33
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
45
%
Field Cover
55
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: just SW of Rt. 626 < 0.2 km south of Zion Church.
This stand appears to be a post-logging or post-clearing oak-tulip-poplar forest in successional transition to an oak-hickory forest. Tall, large-diameter Quercus velutina and Liriodendron tulipifera dominate the overstory. Carya spp. dominate the understory and have reached the overstory in some spots (e.g., in the area of the plot).l On the other hand, there is no recruitment of Liriodendron and only moderate recruitment of Quercus spp. This upland appears to be rather mesic and has soil with surprisingly high pH and high Mn levels, indicating a basic substrate. It was likely cultivated in the past, and appears to have a completely different land-use history than the wooded ridge crest across the road (see plot CUSF014). Desmodium nudiflorum is abundant in the herb layer, covering large areas.