Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Cherrybark Oak - Swamp Chestnut Oak - Shagbark Hickory / American Hornbeam / Hirsute Sedge Mesic Floodplain Forest

Colloquial Name: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain Mesic Floodplain Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This subhydric forest community is located on the higher elevations of floodplains located on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southern Arkansas. The canopy is tall (over 30 m [100 feet]) and nearly closed but ragged with small (0.5-2.0 acres) gaps under old-growth conditions. Younger stands typically exhibit a denser and more closed canopy. The canopy often has multiple layers with large emergent trees, usually Quercus pagoda. This forest community is infrequently flooded and drains rapidly. Dominant tree species include Quercus pagoda, Quercus michauxii, Liquidambar styraciflua (common), and Nyssa sylvatica with Acer rubrum var. rubrum, Carya glabra, Carya ovata, Diospyros virginiana, Ilex opaca, Morus rubra, Pinus taeda, Quercus alba, and Ulmus americana occurring as occasionals. Based on the number of stumps, historically, Pinus taeda was a common component of this community. Carpinus caroliniana is the dominant understory tree. Other understory trees include Hamamelis virginiana, Ilex opaca, Sassafras albidum, and Ulmus alata. The dominant shrub is Symplocos tinctoria with Callicarpa americana, Hamamelis virginiana, Vaccinium fuscatum, and Vaccinium virgatum. Scattered stands of Arundinaria gigantea are found throughout this community. Seedlings of Quercus nigra and Quercus phellos are common, but few saplings or trees are extant. Common woody vines include Berchemia scandens, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax bona-nox, Toxicodendron radicans, and Vitis rotundifolia. Chasmanthium sessiliflorum occurs as the dominant herb. Other herbaceous species include Nekemias arborea, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, Bignonia capreolata, Campsis radicans, Carex complanata, Carex debilis, Carex glaucodea, Helenium flexuosum, Trachelospermum difforme, and Viola sororia. The herbaceous layer can be sparse under low light conditions. The ground cover is mostly oak leaf litter. These forests occur on relatively poorly drained, nearly level, acidic soils composed of fine sands and silt. These forest communities typically have Mima Mounds interspersed and grade into Quercus nigra - Quercus phellos - Liquidambar styraciflua / Ilex opaca / Vaccinium fuscatum / Smilax smallii / Galium obtusum ssp. obtusum - Carex debilis Temporarily Saturated Overflow Bottom Forest. This forest community could be subject to late summer and fall wildfires during dry conditions. Fuel build-up is generally not high. However, the Pinus taeda component that was extant historically could have made this community more flammable. Under current management practices the Pinus taeda component is much reduced. High-quality examples are known from Moro Bottoms Natural Area, Overflow National Wildlife Refuge, and Pine Bluff Arsenal Old Growth Area. Other examples are known from Big Cypress Unique Area, Lorance Creek Natural Area, and Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The type location is in Dallas County, Arkansas. This community is also known from Ashley, Cleveland, Jefferson, Saline, and Sevier counties, Arkansas. It is likely extant throughout the Ouachita River Watershed.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Pinus taeda would have been a common component of this community in its presettlement condition, although it was probably never dominant. Abundant Pinus taeda stumps are present in stands of this vegetation. This community varies in the scale at which it may occur, from small patch to large patch, depending on environment. The soils mapped by NRCS are not known to be calcareous. I think this community sometimes forms on lower ravines and escarpments as well. The G3 ranking is because it is only found on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain as far as I know. It is under pressure from forestry industry due to conversion to plantations and the high value of cherrybark oak.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available