Print Report
CEGL006134 Quercus rubra - (Quercus montana) / Vaccinium spp. / Deschampsia flexuosa Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: This dry, acidic oak woodland occurs on rocky upper slopes and summits from New England south to the highest peaks in West Virginia.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern Red Oak - (Chestnut Oak) / Blueberry species / Wavy Hairgrass Woodland
Colloquial Name: Red Oak / Heath Woodland Rocky Summit
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry, acidic oak woodland occurs on rocky upper slopes and summits from New England south to the highest peaks in West Virginia. Typical settings are low- to mid-elevation summits and south-facing, upper slopes. Elevations of known occurrences range from near sea level to about 610 m (0-2000 feet) in New England, and to 1370 m (4500 feet) in West Virginia. Soils are shallow, well-drained, acidic, nutrient-poor gravels and coarse sands, often with prominent exposed bedrock. Canopy cover is variable, ranging from open and patchy to closed depending on site conditions. It overtops a dwarf-shrub layer that is frequently extensive and a sparse tall-shrub layer. Herb cover is patchy and variable. Bryoid cover is minor, scattered patches on the rocky substrate. The canopy is dominated by scattered, often stunted Quercus rubra with minor associates depending on geography and often including Quercus velutina, Quercus montana, Betula populifolia, Betula papyrifera, Betula lenta, and Acer rubrum or Quercus coccinea in more coastal regions. Quercus rubra tends to be the only oak at the northern end of the range. Pinus strobus, Pinus rigida, or other conifers may be present, but only in minor amounts. The dwarf-shrub layer is strongly dominated by heaths, especially Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and Gaylussacia baccata with Gaylussacia frondosa, Comptonia peregrina, and Kalmia angustifolia also common. Tall shrubs may include Quercus ilicifolia, Hamamelis virginiana, Amelanchier spp., and Prunus pensylvanica. The herbaceous layer is composed of Deschampsia flexuosa, Danthonia spicata, Carex lucorum, Pteridium aquilinum, Comandra umbellata, Melampyrum lineare, Polygala paucifolia, Epigaea repens, Gaultheria procumbens, and Aralia nudicaulis. The bryophyte layer includes Polytrichum commune, Leucobryum glaucum, and others.
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: The open and patchy canopy overtops a sparse tall-shrub layer, and the dwarf-shrub layer is frequently extensive. Herb cover is patchy and variable. Bryoid cover is minor, with scattered patches on the rocky substrate.
Floristics: The canopy is dominated by scattered, often stunted Quercus rubra with minor associates depending on geography and often including Quercus velutina, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Betula populifolia, Betula papyrifera, Betula lenta, and Acer rubrum with Quercus coccinea in more coastal regions. Pinus strobus, Pinus rigida, or other conifers may be present, but only in minor amounts. The dwarf-shrub layer is strongly dominated by heaths, especially Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and Gaylussacia baccata with Gaylussacia frondosa, Comptonia peregrina, and Kalmia angustifolia also common. Tall shrubs may include Quercus ilicifolia, Hamamelis virginiana, Amelanchier spp., and Prunus pensylvanica. The herbaceous layer is composed of Deschampsia flexuosa, Danthonia spicata, Carex lucorum, Pteridium aquilinum, Comandra umbellata, Melampyrum lineare, Polygala paucifolia, Epigaea repens, Gaultheria procumbens, and Aralia nudicaulis. The bryophyte layer includes Polytrichum commune, Leucobryum glaucum, and others.
Dynamics: Droughty soils and increased light on the forest floor due to relatively open canopy allow drier species to predominate. Fire may be necessary to maintain Quercus rubra over time at more dry-mesic sites.
Environmental Description: This red oak woodland occurs on rocky upper slopes and summits from New England south to the highest peaks in West Virginia. Typical settings are low- to mid-elevation summits and south-facing, upper slopes. Elevations of known occurrences range from near sea level to about 610 m (0-2000 feet) in New England, and to 1370 m (4500 feet) in West Virginia. Soils are shallow, well-drained, acidic, nutrient-poor gravels and coarse sands, often with prominent exposed bedrock.
Geographic Range: This red oak woodland occurs on low- to mid-elevation summits and south-facing, steep upper slopes from New England south to Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686982
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.c White Oak - Chestnut Oak - Pignut Hickory Forest & Woodland Group | G650 | 1.B.2.Na.2.c |
| Alliance | A4467 <i>Quercus montana - Quercus rubra</i> / Lowbush Blueberry Rocky Woodland | A4467 | 1.B.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL006134 Northern Red Oak - (Chestnut Oak) / Blueberry species / Wavy Hairgrass Woodland | CEGL006134 | 1.B.2.Na.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Northern Red Oak: 55 (Eyre 1980)
? Red oak woodlands (NAP pers. comm. 1998)
? Red oak-chestnut oak acid mid-high elevation, rocky slopes (CAP pers. comm. 1998)
? SNE circumneutral rocky summit/rock outcrop community (Rawinski 1984a)
? Red oak woodlands (NAP pers. comm. 1998)
? Red oak-chestnut oak acid mid-high elevation, rocky slopes (CAP pers. comm. 1998)
? SNE circumneutral rocky summit/rock outcrop community (Rawinski 1984a)
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