Intensive 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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
30
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Stand of tall, nearly pure Tsuga canadensis and Liriodendron tulipifera with open, park-like understory occupies nearly flat terrace above Chopawamsic Creek. Ground is almost completely covered by Diphasiastrum digitatum, except in modules 5 and 6 and half of module 7. Overstory individuals of Tsuga grow generally straight and tall but lack exceptional girth. Pinus virginiana increases in importance toward far end of plot; most Pinus individuals are dead or evidently stressed, with crown damage or poor crown development. Several old boles of uncertain age or identity are present on ground. There is evidence of minor infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid on at least one Tsuga individual. Species richness is surprisingly high given dense shade and high cover of Diphasiastrum.
Directions to plot: Follow gravel road along Chopawamsic Creek from Russell Road. Between fifth and sixth crossings of creek, look for dirt road on right. Ca. 25 m from main road on left side of this secondary road, there is split Tsuga (49 cm dbh), from which stake A stands 38 m @ 137 deg.
