Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Sand Post Oak, Post Oak) - Blackjack Oak / Yellowleaf Hawthorn / Little Bluestem Woodland

Colloquial Name: East Gulf Sand Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Sandhill

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association covers open-canopy stands dominated by Quercus margarettae, Carya pallida, Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus marilandica in the sandhills of the East Gulf Coastal Plain of Georgia and possibly adjacent and nearby Alabama, or in the sandhills of the South Atlantic Coastal Plain. Some stands can approach closed canopy (>60% canopy closure). These woodland stands are presumably modified and/or fire-suppressed examples of Pinus palustris-dominated or Pinus palustris - Quercus spp.-dominated vegetation where Pinus palustris has been removed or failed to regenerate. Stands of this vegetation occur in exposed topographic settings on gentle to somewhat steeply sloped, northerly aspect hills in the Fall-line region of Georgia and possibly adjacent Alabama where fire was a common natural disturbance, but where its importance has been reduced. Inclusions of xeric vegetation including Quercus laevis, Quercus incana, and Crataegus flava increase in prevalence at high slope and ridgetop positions in these slope woodlands, while more mesic components increase at lowslope positions (e.g., Quercus falcata). Some woody associates include Pinus taeda, Pinus palustris, Quercus falcata, Quercus incana, Quercus laevis, Cornus florida, and Nyssa sylvatica. Shrub components include Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium stamineum, Crataegus flava, Rhus copallinum, Rubus cuneifolius, Rubus trivialis, Rubus flagellaris?, and Toxicodendron radicans. The grass-dominated herbaceous stratum contains Andropogon virginicus, Schizachyrium scoparium, Aristida purpurascens, Danthonia sericea, Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus, Amsonia ciliata, Aureolaria pectinata, Eriogonum tomentosum, Vernonia angustifolia, Pityopsis aspera, Eupatorium spp., Silphium spp., and Pteridium aquilinum. The relative density of the strata will depend on site conditions and fire-return interval. Under conditions of extreme fire suppression, the structure may approach that of a forest (i.e., greater than 60% canopy closure). It is presently unclear why these stands are not dominated instead by Quercus laevis (e.g., examples of ~Crataegus flava - Quercus (incana, laevis) Ruderal Woodland (CEGL007883)$$).

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: More information is needed on the substrate(s) on which this association is found, and its response to management intended to increase the abundance of Pinus palustris. On Fort Benning, this association is most often found on loamy sands and coarse loamy sands. This association is occasionally found on sandy loams as well. Sandy loams tend to have a more mesic mix of xeric/mesic vegetation, whereas loamy sands tend toward more xeric vegetation. For conservation and restoration purposes, this association should be considered as lower quality (but often highly restorable) examples of one or more communities in a Pinus palustris woodland alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available