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:
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is representative of oak dominated forest which occupies west and southwest facing slopes on the west flank of Middle Mountain. These stands, which occur in somewhat isolated patches among northern hardwood forest on most other slopes of the area, probably reflect a vegetational response to a warmer aspect and less frigid, more nutrient poor soil conditions. Chestnut oak (Quercus montana) and red oak (Q. rubra), are the usual co-dominant trees of these stands, which are also characterized by an abundance of ericaceous (heath family) shrubs: mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and blueberries (Vaccinium stamineum, V. pallidum). This slope supports a 60-70 year old, secondary stand which regenerated following logging and fire in the 1920s. The loss of American chestnut (Castanea dentata), formerly an important associate of the oaks, has further altered the dynamics of the community type. A few gypsy moth egg masses, along with some minor defoliation of oaks were noted in the plot. The impacts of this pest can be expected to increase dramatically in the future, as population numbers build to outbreak levels. Measured trees in plot (dbh in cm.): Quercus rubra (38), Q. montana (37), Acer rubrum (35).