Name:
Pinus strobus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) - Fagus grandifolia Forest
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This mixed white pine - oak forest of northeastern states occurs on dry-mesic to mesic, acidic, nutrient-poor, sandy loam to sandy soils. In the northern glaciated portion of the range, the forest occurs on outwash plains or moraines, as well as mid and lower slopes, protected ravines, and protected ridges of shale, sandstone, or other sedimentary rock; occasionally underlain by metamorphic or igneous rock. It occurs at elevations below 3000 feet throughout the range. The tree canopy is dominated by Pinus strobus with a mixture of oaks including Quercus velutina, Quercus rubra, Quercus alba, Quercus prinus, and in the southern portions of the range, Quercus coccinea. Oak species drop out at the northern extreme of the type's range, leaving only Quercus rubra. Fagus grandifolia is characteristic but not always present. Other less frequent canopy associates may include Acer rubrum, Carya alba, Populus tremuloides, Tsuga canadensis, and at the northern range limit may include Betula papyrifera and Populus grandidentata. The variable subcanopy may include Hamamelis virginiana; other species such as Carpinus caroliniana, Cornus florida, and Nyssa sylvatica may be present in the central and southern portions of the range. The sparse to well-developed, generally ericaceous shrub layer includes Gaylussacia spp., Kalmia latifolia, Vaccinium spp., as well as Rubus spp., Corylus americana, Gaultheria procumbens, Sassafras albidum, and Viburnum prunifolium. The herb layer ranges from sparse to moderately dense cover, with species including Aralia nudicaulis, Ageratina altissima, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Brachyelytrum erectum, Carex communis, Carex woodii, Carex pensylvanica, Carex lucorum, Carex debilis, Melampyrum lineare, Pteridium aquilinum, Trientalis borealis, Gaultheria procumbens, Chimaphila maculata, Desmodium nudiflorum, Galium latifolium, Goodyera pubescens, Hieracium venosum, Houstonia purpurea, Maianthemum racemosum, Maianthemum canadense, Medeola virginiana, Mitchella repens, Monotropa uniflora, Poa cuspidata, Polygonatum biflorum, Polystichum acrostichoides, and/or Viola hastata. The bryophyte layer is not well documented but supports Leucobryum glaucum and Polytrichum commune in occurrences in the northern portion of the range (Acadia National Park). This association is differentiated from mixed oak - pine forests to the south by Fagus grandifolia and the absence of southern ranging species Liriodendron tulipifera, Galax urceolata, Trillium catesbaei, Halesia tetraptera, and others. The absence of Ilex glabra and the unimportance of Quercus alba differentiates this from a closely related association of northeastern coastal areas, Pinus strobus - Quercus alba / Ilex glabra Forest (CEGL006382). Earlier successional versions in New England have less pine (usually) and more Betula spp. and Acer rubrum, and are separated as Quercus rubra - Acer rubrum - Betula spp. - Pinus strobus Forest (CEGL006506).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.25646.PINUSSTROBUSQUE
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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