Name:
Pinus strobus - Quercus alba - Quercus coccinea / Vaccinium stamineum Forest
Reference:
Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulli...
Description:
The known range of this community includes the central Appalachian region of Virginia and West Virginia, and the northern and central Piedmont of Virginia, and occurrences in Maryland are likely. The type is particularly abundant and widespread on low shale mountains and hills in the west-central Virginia. Sites are underlain primarily by shale or, less commonly, sandstone in the mountains and by a variety of acidic metamorphic and igneous rocks in the Piedmont. Stands occupy middle and upper slopes, ridge crests, dry ravines, and north-facing bluffs, mostly below 760 m (2500 feet) elevation in the mountains, and above 75 m (240 feet) in the Piedmont. Aspect is variable, and site moisture is typically assessed as subxeric or submesic. Vegetation is a mixed forest codominated by Pinus strobus and various oaks, particularly Quercus alba, Quercus coccinea, and Quercus prinus. Less commonly, Quercus rubra and Quercus velutina may be important members of the canopy. Minor canopy associates include Acer rubrum, Carya alba, Fagus grandifolia (mostly Piedmont), Liriodendron tulipifera, Nyssa sylvatica, Pinus virginiana, Quercus falcata (mostly Piedmont), and Tsuga canadensis. Acer rubrum and Nyssa sylvatica are abundant understory trees, along with Cornus florida. The shrub layer is predominantly ericaceous and varies from sparse and patchy to occasionally dense. Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium pallidum, Gaylussacia baccata, and Kalmia latifolia are characteristic ericads. Other frequent but low-cover shrub-layer species include Viburnum acerifolium, Smilax rotundifolia, Sassafras albidum, and Diospyros virginiana. The herb layer is typically very sparse.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.22020.PINUSSTROBUSQUE
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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