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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Field Height
15
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot represents the more nutrient rich of the somewhat xeric open forests occupying south to southeast facing gentle to moderate slopes in the shale hills portion of the study area. On richer soil, it occupies steep slopes all the way up to upper slope positions. This may be old growth forest given the age of the white oak cored. Dry conditions presumably have stunted their growth.
Plot marked with 4-ft rebar painted white. Plot center ca. 25 degrees NNE of 8-in dbh Pinus virginiana with orange flag, 370 ft north of point on Laurel Branch (and FR 722) 300 ft upstream of confluence with unnamed tributary from south, shown on USGS quad as intermittent watercourse.
Charcoal on downed wood and dead trees, though no fire scars on live trees. I have not recorded evidence for logging. I may have assumed logging based of old road below and size of trees.