Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: An example of this community undergoing restoration in the western edge of the Blue Ridge, in Fannin County, Georgia, has a canopy dominated by Pinus echinata, but with significant coverage by Quercus coccinea and Quercus alba. Other woody species in the canopy and subcanopy include Pinus taeda, Pinus strobus, Nyssa sylvatica, Acer rubrum, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), and Oxydendrum arboreum. The shrub stratum is open, but patchy, dominated by ericaceous shrubs such as Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium hirsutum, Vaccinium arboreum, Rhododendron alabamense, Kalmia latifolia, and Lyonia ligustrina. Other shrubs and vines include Smilax glauca, Hypericum hypericoides ssp. multicaule, and Diospyros virginiana. The herbaceous stratum is closed, but has variable local dominance. Visual dominants at this site were Schizachyrium scoparium, Pityopsis graminifolia, Pteridium aquilinum, Baptisia tinctoria, and Epigaea repens. Other herbaceous species are Iris cristata, Coreopsis major, Solidago odora, Dichanthelium commutatum, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Galax urceolata, Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), Tephrosia virginiana, and Ageratina aromatica. A sample from the upper Piedmont of Georgia (Chattahoochee National Forest) which is placed here is dominated by Pinus echinata in the canopy. The subcanopy includes Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Quercus marilandica, Quercus stellata, Nyssa sylvatica, and Liquidambar styraciflua. Shrubs are Vaccinium arboreum, Chionanthus virginicus, Smilax glauca, and Crataegus uniflora. Herbs include Danthonia sericea, Coreopsis major, Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon gyrans, and Liatris microcephala. This example is adjacent to a "glade." An additional sample from the Cherokee National Forest in Monroe County, Tennessee, is a frequently burned woodland occurring on a steep slope underlain by phyllite. The canopy is dominated by Pinus echinata (10-25% cover). Other canopy components include Pinus rigida, Pinus virginiana, and Quercus alba. The open subcanopy is characterized by Quercus marilandica, Quercus alba, and Quercus stellata. The open shrub layer includes Calycanthus floridus and Ceanothus americanus. Some of the more prominent members of the dense and diverse herbaceous layer include Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Pityopsis graminifolia, Tephrosia virginiana, Liatris scariosa, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Symphyotrichum undulatum (= Aster undulatus), Helianthus divaricatus, and Galactia volubilis.

Dynamics:  Nearby stands on similar topographic positions often have a very different composition and lack the open woodland character. In Georgia, these adjacent stands are often densely dominated by Pinus virginiana. Young Pinus strobus seedlings are becoming established underneath the canopy and are anticipated to move into the gaps caused by the dying and declining canopy species. The dense shaded environment of these stands suppresses fine fuels provided by herbaceous species and are consequently difficult to burn.