Name:
Acer saccharum - Tilia americana - (Quercus rubra) Forest Alliance
Reference:
Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
Description:
This alliance, found in the midwestern United States, forms the westernmost portion of the mesic deciduous forests that occupy much of the eastern United States. Stands in this alliance have a moderately dense to dense tree canopy dominated by some combination of Acer saccharum, Quercus rubra, and Tilia americana. The latter two species become more prominent constituents of the forest along the drier western edge of the alliance's range. Other common canopy species include Acer rubrum, Carya spp., Celtis occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Quercus alba, and Ulmus spp. Carpinus caroliniana (in the southern half of this alliance's range) and Ostrya virginiana are characteristic subcanopy trees. The dense canopy tends to inhibit the formation of a significant shrub layer. Scattered shrubs of Acer spicatum (in the north), Corylus americana, Hamamelis virginiana, Ribes spp., Sambucus spp., Viburnum acerifolium (in the north), and Zanthoxylum americanum may be found in stands of this alliance. Spring ephemerals are a distinctive part of the herbaceous layer, especially in the southern part of this alliance's range. Common herbaceous species include Anemone quinquefolia, Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus) (in the north), Carex pensylvanica, Claytonia spp., Dicentra cucullaria, Erythronium spp., Hepatica nobilis var. acuta (= Hepatica triloba), Laportea canadensis, Polygonatum pubescens, Sanicula odorata (= Sanicula gregaria), Trillium grandiflorum, and Uvularia grandiflora. Stands of this alliance are found on well-drained, nutrient-rich, loamy soils. In the southern part of the alliance's range, stands are often found on ravine slopes where the microclimate is more mesic than the surrounding uplands. This alliance is very intolerant of fire. Thus, along the western edge of its range, stands are found on sites protected from fire, such as the lee side of waterbodies or where topographic features inhibit the spread of fire.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18789.ACERSACCHARUMTI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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