Name:
Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This alliance includes deciduous forests dominated by Liriodendron tulipifera, primarily in areas which were once clearcut, old fields, or cleared by fire or other natural disturbances. These non-wetland forests are also found along mesic stream terraces and on upland mountain benches. Forests in this alliance are abundant in the central and southern Appalachians, below 915 m (3000 feet) elevation, usually associated with disturbance and on the most productive sites, but also occur in the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, and Cumberland Plateau. This alliance includes pure, often even-aged stands of Liriodendron tulipifera as well as forests with Liriodendron tulipifera associated with other species favored by canopy openings. Associated species vary with geographic location. Throughout most of the range of this alliance, Acer rubrum, Robinia pseudoacacia, Betula lenta, Acer saccharum, and Acer negundo are common components. In the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, Liquidambar styraciflua is a common associate. In the Appalachians, Halesia tetraptera, Tsuga canadensis, Tilia americana var. heterophylla (= Tilia heterophylla), Prunus serotina var. serotina, and Magnolia fraseri can be additional components. In the Ridge and Valley and Cumberland Plateau, additional species include Quercus rubra, Magnolia acuminata, Carya alba, Carya glabra, Pinus virginiana, Sassafras albidum, Pinus strobus, Carpinus caroliniana, Asimina triloba, and Staphylea trifolia. Herbaceous strata are not diverse and, in the southern Appalachians, this feature distinguishes these forests from rich cove forests in Liriodendron tulipifera - Tilia americana var. heterophylla - Aesculus flava - Acer saccharum Forest Alliance (A.235). Vines can be abundant including Vitis spp., Smilax spp., Aristolochia macrophylla, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. Forests in this alliance occur on middle to lower slopes, sheltered coves and gentle concave slopes, and river terraces over various soils and geologies. Vegetation of this alliance is uncommon in Louisiana.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18969.LIRIODENDRONTUL
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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