Name:
Acer saccharum - Betula alleghaniensis - (Fagus grandifolia) Forest Alliance
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This alliance, found in the north-central and northeastern United States and adjacent southern Canada, is composed of rich mesic forests. Stands in this forest alliance typically have a closed canopy. Most of the trees are deciduous but conifers are often scattered throughout the stands. Acer saccharum is dominant in the overstory and sapling layer. Betula alleghaniensis, Fagus grandifolia (in the eastern two-thirds of this alliance's range), and Tilia americana may be codominants. Other common trees include Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, Fraxinus americana, Ostrya virginiana, Picea glauca, Pinus strobus, Quercus rubra, and Tsuga canadensis. Picea rubens can be found in high elevation stands in the East. The dense overstory inhibits the growth of an abundant shrub layer. Acer pensylvanicum (in the east), Corylus cornuta, Hamamelis virginiana, Lonicera canadensis, Taxus canadensis, and Viburnum acerifolium are typical shrubs. Many of the common herbaceous species are typical of sub-boreal communities. These include Aralia nudicaulis, Chimaphila maculata, Clintonia borealis, Lycopodium spp., Maianthemum canadense, Osmorhiza claytonii, Oxalis montana, Pteridium aquilinum, and Streptopus lanceolatus var. longipes (= Streptopus roseus). Stands of this alliance are found on moderate to deep (60->150 cm) sandy loam, clay loam, or loamy sand soils. The soils are typically slightly acidic to circumneutral, mesic to wet-mesic and nutrient-rich. Most stands develop on flat to moderate slopes over glacial till. A relatively thick layer of fallen leaves covers the forest floor. Sites that support this alliance are on flat to moderately sloping terrain on glacial features such as till or moraines or on calcareous rocks, sandstone, or shale outside the glaciated region.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.19981.ACERSACCHARUMBE
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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