Name:
North-Central Oak - Hickory Forest & Woodland Group
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This group is found throughout the glaciated regions of the Midwest, typically in gently rolling landscapes. Historically, this type was quite extensive in the Midwest and parts of the Northeast. It is distinguished from other forested groups within the region by a dry-mesic to dry edaphic condition that is transitional between dry prairies, oak barrens, or savannas and mesic hardwood forests, such as maple-basswood forests. Forest cover can range from a dense to moderately open canopy of deciduous broadleaf trees (conifers do not exceed 25% cover except in one variant in the Driftless Area), and there is commonly a dense shrub layer. Fire-resistant oak species, in particular <i>Quercus alba, Quercus rubra</i>, and/or <i>Quercus velutina</i>, dominate the overstory. Hickories such as <i>Carya glabra, Carya ovata, Carya cordiformis</i>, and <i>Carya tomentosa</i> are characteristic associates. <i>Quercus macrocarpa</i> and <i>Quercus ellipsoidalis</i> may be common in some stands. Fire suppression may account for the more closed oak forest examples with the more mesic understory. It has allowed for other associates, such as <i>Acer saccharum, Acer rubrum, Celtis occidentalis, Ostrya virginiana</i>, and <i>Fraxinus americana</i>, to become more prevalent, especially in upland areas along floodplains. It can occur on uplands within the prairie matrix and near floodplains, or on rolling glacial moraines, among kettle-kame topography, and outwash plains. Soils are typically well-drained to excessively drained Mollisols or Alfisols that range from loamy to sandy in texture. Local areas of calcareous bedrock, or colluvial pockets, may support forests typical of richer soils.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40297-{520A997D-AE45-45BF-9CC0-DEF7B5CF0F86}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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