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
70
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
90
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is representative of rich forest stands covering approximately 1000 acres on the upper slopes of the Blue Ridge here and long renowned for their vast vernal display of Trillium grandiflorum, consisting of millions of plants. Community distribution coincides closely with Clifton stony silt loam soils. While perhaps not the richest in the state, these soils are exceptionally productive and support a continuous procession of exceedingly lush and vigorous herbaceous growth from early spring through fall. Cover of Impatiens pallida, Monarda clinopodia, Sanicula odorata, Circaea lutetiana ssp. Canadensis, Cryptotaenia canadensis and Collinsonia canadensis would be greatly increased in aestival aspect.
Trees measured in plot (dbh in cm.): Liriodendron tulipifera (55,52), Carya ovalis (60), Quercus rubra (50), Fraxinus americana (45,44).
Plot located just upslope from the Appalachian Trail, ca. halfway between Trico Tower Trail and fire road from parking area #6 along Rt. 638.