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:
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The trees in this stand appear to be of uniform age and probably began growth after a fire that took place about 50 years ago. Most of the oaks have a few to several dead upper branches resulting from gypsy moth in previous years. This year defoliation here was slight, about 5-10% of most leaves. Upslope of this plot, on more level terrain, Pinus pungens becomes abundant and herbs such as Cypripedium acaule and Maianthemum canadense are present.
Access via small trail from Long Run Road located 0.55 mi south of junction with Hall Spring Road. Plot located 40 m down trail and 15 m north of trail. Plot center marked with yellow ribbon. All trees marked using numbered metal tags.
Very friable organic rich A-horizon, thick O layer.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Charcoal present; stand burned about 50 years ago. Deer browsing evidently prevents the many small Acer rubrum seedlings (low plants) from achieving tree stature. Virtually all of the oaks have a few to several dead branches, possibly the result of gypsy moth defoliation in past years. The current level of defoliation is ca. 5-10% per leaf. A single snag of Pinus pungens occurs in the plot.
