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
5
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This steep south to southeast facing slope is undercut by North Creek. The surface consists of many sandstone boulders and outcrops interspersed with shaly soil. The vegetation could be characterized as a shale barren, but unlike most shale barrens, this occurrence appears to have more fertile soil and a more species rich assemblage of plants. Oaks and hickories, rather than pines, characterizes the overstory. The presence of Carex pensylvanica scattered throughout the plot indicates a moderate amount of shade cast by overstory trees. Measured trees (dbh in cm.): Quercus velutina (18.3), Q. montana (20.4).