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:
Tree Height
30
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
6
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
4
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The vegetation on this convex spur crest appears to be undergoing a successional transition from an oak / mountain-laurel forest to a more mesic, mixed forest. Although several oaks (Quercus montana, Q. coccinea, Q. velutina, and Q. rubra) still co-dominate the overstory, no young oak recruitment is present and the understory has been invaded by young Fagus grandifolia, Acer rubrum, Asimina triloba, and Nyssa sylvatica. In addition, Liriodendron tulipifera is recruiting into gaps. A large Carya glabra is rooted just outside the plot and slightly overhangs it. The herb layer is quite sparse except for patches of Thelypteris noveboracensis.
Fire scars noted on chestnut oaks about 100 m upslope from the plot. The remains of a small brick structure are located just outside of (SW of) the plot.