Name:
Pinus strobus - Tsuga canadensis Lower New England-Northern Piedmont Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This dry-mesic coniferous forest of usually sloping (moderately to steeply) sites is dominated by <i>Pinus strobus</i> and/or <i>Tsuga canadensis</i>. It can occur in somewhat sheltered ravines where <i>Tsuga canadensis</i> is nearly monotypic in all layers. Other frequent tree species depend on geography and can include <i>Betula papyrifera, Quercus rubra</i>, and <i>Acer rubrum</i>, with <i>Pinus rigida, Prunus serotina, Quercus velutina, Carya tomentosa, Betula lenta, Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Betula alleghaniensis</i>, and <i>Betula populifolia</i> occurring less frequently. Although frequent, deciduous tree species generally occur with low abundance. Canopy cover is typically 80-90%. The subcanopy is often sparse but may extend up to 40% cover. <i>Acer pensylvanicum</i> is a common, though rarely abundant, small tree. Shrubs are absent or sparse but when present may include <i>Hamamelis virginiana, Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron maximum, Vaccinium angustifolium</i>, and <i>Viburnum acerifolium</i>. The herbaceous layer is generally not well-developed nor diverse and is generally characterized by <i>Gaultheria procumbens, Medeola virginiana, Polystichum acrostichoides</i>, and <i>Thelypteris noveboracensis</i>. Other herbaceous associates often include <i>Aralia nudicaulis, Uvularia sessilifolia, Mitchella repens, Trientalis borealis, Monotropa uniflora, Dryopteris intermedia, Dryopteris marginalis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Polypodium virginianum</i>, and <i>Maianthemum canadense</i>. <i>Deschampsia flexuosa</i> and other grasses may be present in small openings and gaps. Nonvascular plants tend to be sparse but can include <i>Leucobryum albidum</i> and <i>Polytrichum</i> and <i>Dicranum</i> species. Soils are moderately to extremely well-drained (dry-mesic to mesic) loamy sands and sandy loams, often sandy, stony or bouldery. The major natural disturbance in this forest type is generally single-tree blowdowns.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34974-{8128FFBB-DC5C-4409-AC99-03731DC2C572}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
8
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