Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Oak - Mockernut Hickory - (Black Oak) / Naked-flower Tick-trefoil - (Painted Sedge) Forest

Colloquial Name: Interior Dry-Mesic White Oak - Hickory Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This dry-mesic white oak - hickory forest is found in the Interior Low Plateau of Tennessee and adjoining states. Stands occur in dissected landscapes at low to moderate elevations (200-350 m [600-1200 feet]), on upper, middle, and lower slopes of various aspects, as well as toeslopes of gently convex form. Examples vary somewhat in expression on different aspects; however, the canopy is typically dominated by Quercus alba and Carya tomentosa, with Carya glabra and Quercus velutina. Quercus rubra may be found in the subcanopy of some examples, particularly on north- and east-facing slopes. The subcanopy may also contain Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Amelanchier arborea, Carpinus caroliniana, Nyssa sylvatica, and Oxydendrum arboreum. Vaccinium pallidum may be a prominent low shrub in some examples, along with Vaccinium stamineum and Viburnum acerifolium. The herb dominance may be quite variable depending on aspect. Within its range, extensive carpets of Carex picta present a dramatic winter aspect dominance in south- or west-facing examples. In contrast, Polystichum acrostichoides may be equally dominant on north- or east-facing slopes. Some other herbs which may be found include Cardamine angustata, Cynoglossum virginianum var. virginianum, Sanicula smallii, and the fern Asplenium platyneuron.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type was originally described from the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee, and is reported from Kentucky. It covers much of the upland forests of Mammoth Cave National Park. This type could also be expected in adjacent Alabama, and possibly also from the adjacent Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain. It is also possible in Illinois and Indiana; however, in those two states the type may overlap in concept with ~Quercus alba / Cornus florida Unglaciated Forest (CEGL002066)$$, and it may be that those stands should be removed from CEGL002066 and placed with this type. Alternatively, if this type can be white oak- and black oak-dominated, there may be some overlap with unglaciated stands placed in ~Quercus velutina - Quercus alba - Carya (glabra, ovata) Forest (CEGL002076)$$. A similar association defined from the southern Cumberland Plateau, ~Quercus alba - (Quercus montana) / (Hydrangea quercifolia) - Viburnum acerifolium / Carex picta Forest (CEGL008430)$$, is dominated by Quercus alba and Quercus montana, with character species such as Magnolia macrophylla and Hydrangea quercifolia. A related type, ~Quercus alba - Quercus velutina - Carya tomentosa / Desmodium nudiflorum Ozark Forest (CEGL004270)$$, has been developed to accommodate similar vegetation in the Ozarks (e.g., at Buffalo National River).

This association (CEGL007795) is related to the "White oak-black oak-tuliptree type of slopes of upland" of Braun (1950, p. 148, Table 27). In Braun''s analysis, this type is one in which "the three dominants comprise 72% of the canopy." This is at some variance from our data from Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky), in which Liriodendron is not so constant or important. Her studies in the "Big Woods" area of Hart County focused on mesophytic types. Braun also makes the comment that the "where valleys cut less deeply into the upland....(t)he oak-tuliptree type...prevails."

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available