Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Stands of this forest are typically codominated by Quercus falcata, Quercus coccinea, and/or Quercus stellata. Other Quercus species may be present in the canopy and/or subcanopy (Quercus velutina and Quercus marilandica in the Cumberland and Interior Low plateaus; Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, or Quercus muehlenbergii in the Ridge and Valley or other more montane or submontane situations) along with several Carya species (Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya ovata, Carya carolinae-septentrionalis, or Carya glabra). The canopy, particularly of Ridge and Valley examples, may contain Pinus virginiana and/or Pinus echinata, as well as Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana, and Acer saccharum. The subcanopy is relatively dense, with a coverage of 25-60%. Subcanopy species may include Acer rubrum, Cornus florida, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana, Nyssa sylvatica, Oxydendrum arboreum, Prunus serotina var. serotina, and Sassafras albidum. Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana is prominent in the subcanopy and shrub layers of fire-suppressed Ridge and Valley examples. The low-shrub layer of Interior Low Plateau examples may be sparse or dense, consisting mostly of ericaceous shrubs such as Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium arboreum, Gaylussacia baccata, and rarely Gaylussacia dumosa. Herbaceous species nearly always present include Smilax glauca, Rhus copallinum, Toxicodendron radicans, Vitis rotundifolia, and Chimaphila maculata. Other typical herbs include Aristolochia serpentaria, Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), Clitoria mariana, Cypripedium acaule, Desmodium nudiflorum, Euphorbia corollata, Galium circaezans, Ipomoea pandurata, Solidago odora, Tephrosia virginiana, Potentilla simplex, Gillenia stipulata (= Porteranthus stipulatus), Pteridium aquilinum, Lespedeza spp., Dichanthelium spp., Coreopsis major, Mimosa microphylla (= Schrankia microphylla), and Hypericum hypericoides.

In the Bankhead National Forest of Alabama, this is a dry ridge forest with a canopy dominated by Quercus falcata, Quercus stellata, Carya tomentosa, Pinus echinata, and Pinus virginiana. Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Quercus velutina, and Quercus alba can also have a minor presence in the canopy. The subcanopy is dominated by Carya tomentosa, Cornus florida, and Nyssa sylvatica. The shrub layer indicates a possible calcareous influence with Celtis occidentalis, Chionanthus virginicus, and Frangula caroliniana. Other shrubs are Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium pallidum, and Viburnum acerifolium. Vines include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, and Vitis rotundifolia. The herb stratum is sparse and includes Sericocarpus asteroides (= Aster paternus), Dioscorea quaternata, Piptochaetium avenaceum, Pityopsis graminifolia, Ruellia caroliniensis, Silphium trifoliatum, and Solidago odora var. odora.

Dynamics:  In flatter landscapes, where natural fire compartments are large, fire may have been an important disturbance factor. In these areas, the dominance of Quercus falcata may be a symptom of lack of fire, with individuals released after frequent fire ceased in the mid-twentieth century. Some stands could have been, in effect, Quercus stellata woodlands or open-canopy forests prior to this.