Print Report

CEGL006116 Pinus rigida / (Quercus ilicifolia) / Aronia melanocarpa / Deschampsia flexuosa Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pitch Pine / (Bear Oak) / Black Chokeberry / Wavy Hairgrass Woodland

Colloquial Name: Pitch Pine Rocky Summit

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This northeastern pitch pine community occurs on dry rocky ridges and summits of low to moderate elevations. Soils are derived from acidic bedrock and are typically shallow, well- to excessively drained, coarse sands or gravels that develop in pockets of the exposed bedrock expanses. The canopy is open and trees are often stunted, usually less than 15 m in height and may be under 10 m. Tall shrubs are scattered and not abundant. The dwarf-shrub layer is moderately to well-developed (>20% cover, often more dense). Herbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is of variable cover, with lichens prominent. The ground cover is bare rock and deciduous and coniferous litter. The canopy is dominated by Pinus rigida with a variable mixture of associates, such as Betula populifolia, Quercus rubra, Quercus montana, Carya glabra, Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Betula lenta, Acer rubrum, and Prunus serotina. The tall-shrub layer is composed of scattered Quercus ilicifolia, Quercus prinoides, or less commonly Ilex mucronata. The shrub layer is dominated by heaths, such as Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and Gaylussacia baccata, as well as other shrubs, such as Comptonia peregrina and Aronia melanocarpa. The herbaceous layer typically includes Pteridium aquilinum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Deschampsia flexuosa, Danthonia spicata, Carex pensylvanica and/or Carex lucorum, Maianthemum canadense, Aralia nudicaulis, Melampyrum lineare, Fragaria virginiana, Rumex acetosella, Erechtites hieraciifolius, Corydalis sempervirens, Trientalis borealis, and Cypripedium acaule. In the northern Appalachian Mountains, this community generally occurs at elevations from near sea level to 520 m (1700 feet) and may include species of northern affinity, such as Viburnum nudum, Kalmia angustifolia, Betula papyrifera, Picea rubens, and Rhododendron canadense. Periodic fires are probably necessary for persistence of this type, except at the most extreme sites.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The canopy is open and trees are often stunted, usually less than 15 m in height and may be under 10 m. Tall shrubs are scattered and not abundant. The dwarf-shrub layer is moderately to well-developed (>20% cover, often more dense). Herbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is of variable cover, with lichens prominent. The ground cover is bare rock and deciduous and coniferous litter. The canopy is dominated by Pinus rigida with a variable mixture of associates, such as Betula populifolia, Quercus rubra, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Carya glabra, Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Betula lenta, Acer rubrum, and Prunus serotina. The tall-shrub layer is composed of scattered Quercus ilicifolia, Quercus prinoides, or less commonly Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus). The shrub layer is dominated by heaths, such as Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and Gaylussacia baccata, as well as other shrubs, such as Comptonia peregrina and Aronia melanocarpa. The herbaceous layer typically includes Pteridium aquilinum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Deschampsia flexuosa, Danthonia spicata, Carex pensylvanica and/or Carex lucorum, Maianthemum canadense, Aralia nudicaulis, Melampyrum lineare, Fragaria virginiana, Rumex acetosella, Erechtites hieraciifolius, Corydalis sempervirens, Trientalis borealis, and Cypripedium acaule. In the northern Appalachian Mountains, this community may include species of northern affinity, such as Viburnum nudum, Kalmia angustifolia, Betula papyrifera, Picea rubens, and Rhododendron canadense.

Dynamics:  Periodic fires are probably necessary for persistence, except at the most extreme sites.
Environmental Description:  This northeastern pitch pine community occurs on dry rocky ridges and summits of low to moderate elevations. Soils are derived from acidic bedrock and are typically shallow, well- to excessively drained, coarse sands or gravels that develop in pockets of the exposed bedrock expanses. In the northern Appalachian Mountains, this community generally occurs at elevations from near sea level to 520 m (1700 feet).
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the northeastern United States from central New England south to Maryland.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, QC?, RI, VT


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 1 Forest & Woodland Class C01 1
Subclass 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass S15 1.B
Formation 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation F008 1.B.2
Division 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division D008 1.B.2.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.2.Na.2 Appalachian-Northeastern Oak - Hardwood - Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M502 1.B.2.Na.2
Group 1.B.2.Na.2.h Pitch Pine - Virginia Pine - Bear Oak Woodland & Barrens Group G906 1.B.2.Na.2.h
Alliance A4372 Pitch Pine Rocky Woodland Alliance A4372 1.B.2.Na.2.h
Association CEGL006116 Pitch Pine / (Bear Oak) / Black Chokeberry / Wavy Hairgrass Woodland CEGL006116 1.B.2.Na.2.h
Concept Lineage: This (CEGL006323) is a duplicate concept. The concept of CEGL006166 is covered by CEGL006116, CEGL006290 and CEGL006381. LAS 10-09: CEGL006563 concept covered by CEGL006557 and CEGL0065116.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Pitch Pine: 45 (Eyre 1980)
? Pitch pine/black chokeberry low-mid elevation ridgetop (CAP pers. comm. 1998)
? SNE Acidic Rocky Summit/Rock Outcrop Community (Rawinski 1984a)
Concept Author(s): Northern Appalachian Planning Team and L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.C. Gawler

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-27-17
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