Name:
Fraxinus pennsylvanica - (Juglans nigra, Platanus occidentalis) Forest
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This is a green ash - mixed hardwood floodplain forest of the Northern Piedmont of Lower New England/Northern Piedmont ecoregion. It occurs behind levees and on low terraces that are flooded annually for short durations (less than one week per year). Water table is high for the majority of the growing season. Soils are generally silts or clay loams, but can have coarser substrate where flood water velocity is higher. The canopy is codominated by Fraxinus pennsylvanica with Juglans nigra and/or Platanus occidentalis. Additional associates include Ulmus americana, Celtis occidentalis, Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, and Quercus palustris. Subcanopy and shrub layers are sparse and generally comprised of canopy species regeneration plus Lindera benzoin, Viburnum prunifolium, and Viburnum dentatum. Rosa multiflora and Lonicera japonica can be problematic. Herbaceous species, where exotics are not rampant, can include Impatiens pallida, Impatiens capensis, Laportea canadensis, Verbesina alternifolia, Hydrophyllum canadense, Podophyllum peltatum, Symplocarpus foetidus, Circaea lutetiana, Boehmeria cylindrica, Arisaema triphyllum, Viola spp., Toxicodendron radicans, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. Exotic species tend to dominate the herb layer, including Alliaria petiolata, Glechoma hederacea, and Microstegium vimineum. Diagnostic features of this floodplain forest include the presence of Juglans nigra and rich herbs.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.27946.FRAXINUSPENNSYL
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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