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CEGL004996 Pinus (pungens, rigida) - Quercus montana / (Quercus ilicifolia) / Gaylussacia baccata Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Table Mountain Pine, Pitch Pine) - Chestnut Oak / (Bear Oak) / Black Huckleberry Woodland

Colloquial Name: Central Appalachian Pine - Oak / Heath Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association represents mixed woodlands occupying xeric, convex, often rocky south- and west-facing slopes, ridge spurs, crests, and clifftops in the Central Appalachians and peripherally in the Piedmont and Southern Blue Ridge. Stands occur at elevations from 275 to 1200 m (900-4000 feet) on various substrates but most commonly on acidic, sedimentary and metasedimentary substrates (e.g., quartzites, sandstones, and shales). Soils are very infertile, shallow, and droughty. A thick, poorly decomposed duff layer, along with dead wood and highly volatile ericaceous shrubs, create a strongly fire-prone habitat. Pinus pungens and Pinus rigida, individually or together, codominate the canopy with Quercus montana. The physiognomy of this community can approach that of a closed-canopy forest in some situations as a result of fire exclusion. Scattered canopy and subcanopy associates may include Quercus coccinea, Quercus rubra, Quercus marilandica, Pinus virginiana, Castanea dentata, Acer rubrum, Sassafras albidum, Nyssa sylvatica, and Amelanchier arborea. Quercus ilicifolia often dominates a moderately open to very dense tall-shrub layer, while variable combinations of Kalmia latifolia, Gaylussacia baccata, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium stamineum, Pieris floribunda, Rhododendron catawbiense, and other ericads form a generally dense low-shrub layer. Smilax rotundifolia and Smilax glauca may be prominent climbers among the shrubs. Herbaceous species, often very sparse, are rooted in small openings among the shrubs, on rocks, and in disturbed areas where mineral soil is exposed. Typical herbs and subshrubs include Epigaea repens, Gaultheria procumbens, Xerophyllum asphodeloides, Iris verna, Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum, Melampyrum lineare var. latifolium, Stenanthium gramineum var. micranthum, Uvularia puberula, Lycopodium tristachyum, Aralia hispida (usually on outcrops), and Carex tonsa. Periodic fire is an important ecological process that provides opportunities for the regeneration of both canopy pines and less competitive herbaceous species, while setting back successional encroachment of xeric oaks. On many sites (e.g., clifftops, quartzite ledges), the vegetation is self-perpetuating due to extreme edaphic conditions.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This community type is closely related to other xeric pine and pine-oak associations. It is thought to differ in the frequent shrub layer dominance of Quercus ilicifolia, a northern species which is absent in similar communities south of Virginia, as well as the absence of a number of uncommon but characteristic southern species such as Gaylussacia ursina, Rhododendron carolinianum, Rhododendron minus, Leiophyllum buxifolium, and Fothergilla major. In 68 plots from Virginia, the most constant (>62%) species, in order of descending constancy, are Kalmia latifolia, Vaccinium pallidum, Quercus montana, Gaylussacia baccata, Quercus ilicifolia, Sassafras albidum, Nyssa sylvatica, Pinus rigida, Acer rubrum, and Amelanchier arborea. Other less constant species from this community with more northern affinities, which are absent or infrequent south of Virginia, are Pieris floribunda and Vaccinium angustifolium. Long-term, widespread fire exclusion is an ongoing problem which may be causing some stands to succeed to closed, mixed oak-pine forest. However, on many sites occupied by this community, edaphic conditions are so stressful that tree oaks are marginally competitive, and even long fire-return intervals (e.g., >25 years) are sufficient to maintain pine codominance. Within the past ten years, much of this vegetation in Virginia has been devastated by infestations of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis). These outbreaks have resulted in extensive mortality of the dominant pines and changed physiognomies, at least temporarily, to a shrubland condition. Two subtypes formerly recognized in Virginia have proven problematic in recent analyses and are better regarded as intergrading variants.

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

Floristics: The canopies of stands of this type are codominated by Pinus pungens and Pinus rigida, either individually or together, with Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus). Scattered canopy and subcanopy associates may include Quercus coccinea, Quercus rubra, Quercus marilandica, Pinus virginiana, Castanea dentata, Acer rubrum, Sassafras albidum, Nyssa sylvatica, and Amelanchier arborea. Quercus ilicifolia often dominates a moderately open to very dense tall-shrub layer, while variable combinations of Kalmia latifolia, Gaylussacia baccata, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium stamineum, Pieris floribunda, Rhododendron catawbiense, and other ericads form a generally dense low-shrub layer. Smilax rotundifolia and Smilax glauca may be prominent climbers among the shrubs. Herbaceous species, often very sparse, are rooted in small openings among the shrubs, on rocks, and in disturbed areas where mineral soil is exposed. Typical herbs and subshrubs include Epigaea repens, Gaultheria procumbens, Xerophyllum asphodeloides, Iris verna, Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum, Melampyrum lineare var. latifolium, Stenanthium gramineum var. micranthum, Uvularia puberula, Lycopodium tristachyum, Aralia hispida (usually on outcrops), and Carex tonsa. Although fully intergradational, two variants recognized in Virginia are very distinct in their typical expressions. Both share Quercus montana as a codominant canopy tree and have a similar ericaceous shrub layer composed largely of Kalmia latifolia, Gaylussacia baccata, and Vaccinium pallidum. However, in the first variant, which is usually associated with cliffs and rocky slopes, Pinus pungens is the most constant and abundant pine. In the second variant, most often associated with xeric upper slopes and crests, Pinus rigida is the most constant and abundant pine. Recognition of these variants as formal types or subtypes has proven problematic due to intergradation of both habitats and floristic composition. Piedmont stands of this community (e.g., on Bull Run Mountain, Virginia, and Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland) are similar to montane stands but lack Quercus ilicifolia and other species characteristic of higher elevations. In 57 plot samples classified as this association from Virginia, mean species richness was 19 species per 400 m2, ranging from 9-27 species per 400 m2.

Dynamics:  The canopy closure can approach forest physiognomy in some situations as a result of fire exclusion. Periodic fire is an important ecological process which provides opportunities for the regeneration of both canopy pines and less competitive herbaceous species, while setting back successional encroachment of xeric oaks. On many sites (e.g., clifftops, quartzite ledges), the vegetation is self-perpetuating due to extreme edaphic conditions. Much of this vegetation in Virginia has been devastated in the 1990s by infestations of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis). These outbreaks have resulted in extensive mortality of the dominant pines and changed physiognomies, at least temporarily, to a shrubland condition.
Environmental Description:  These mixed woodlands occupy xeric, convex, often rocky south- and west-facing slopes, ridge spurs, crests, and clifftops in the Central Appalachians and peripherally in the Piedmont and Southern Blue Ridge. Stands occur at elevations from 275 to 1200 m (900-4000 feet) on various substrates but most commonly on acidic, sedimentary and metasedimentary substrates (e.g., quartzites, sandstones, and shales). Soils are very infertile, shallow, and droughty. A thick, poorly decomposed duff layer, along with dead wood and highly volatile ericaceous shrubs, create a strongly fire-prone habitat. On many sites (e.g., clifftops, quartzite ledges), the vegetation is self-perpetuating due to extreme edaphic conditions. There are significant differences in site conditions associated with variations in this community type. One major variant, often associated with Pinus pungens abundance, occurs at low to middle elevations and tends to occupy cliffs and steep sideslopes with significant rock cover. Another variant, often associated with high Pinus rigida cover, occurs at middle to high elevations and tends to occupy moderately steep to sublevel upper slopes and crests with little rock cover and very dense duff. Although strongly fire-prone habitats influence vegetation structure and composition of both subtypes, the rock outcrop variant tends to be more influenced by edaphic stresses because of its frequent association with cliffs and outcrop areas.
Geographic Range: This community occurs in the Central Appalachian region of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, with very local outliers in the western Piedmont of Virginia and Maryland (e.g., Sugarloaf Mountain). In Virginia, the type as a whole ranges through the Blue Ridge and Ridge and Valley provinces north of the New River. Outliers occur on Bull Run Mountain (Fauquier County), Willis Mountain (Buckingham County), and other Virginia Piedmont foothills.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  MD, PA, VA, WV


Confidence Level: High

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.g Table Mountain Pine - Virginia Pine - Pitch Pine Woodland & Barrens Group G905 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Alliance A0677 Table Mountain Pine - Pitch Pine - Chestnut Oak Woodland Alliance A0677 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL004996 (Table Mountain Pine, Pitch Pine) - Chestnut Oak / (Bear Oak) / Black Huckleberry Woodland CEGL004996 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Concept Lineage: This vegetation (CEGL006555) is covered in CEGL004996.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus (pungens, rigida) - Quercus prinus / (Quercus ilicifolia) / Gaylussacia baccata Woodland (Fleming and Patterson 2009a)
= Pinus (pungens, rigida) - Quercus prinus / (Quercus ilicifolia) / Gaylussacia baccata Woodland (Fleming and Taverna 2006)
= Pinus (pungens, rigida) - Quercus prinus / (Quercus ilicifolia) / Gaylussacia baccata Woodland (Fleming et al. 2007b)
> Pinus pungens - Pinus rigida / Quercus ilicifolia / Gaylussacia baccata Association (Rawinski et al. 1996)
= Pinus pungens - Quercus montana / Kalmia latifolia / Gaylussacia baccata Woodland (Fleming 2002b)
> Pinus pungens - Quercus prinus - (Quercus coccinea) / Kalmia latifolia - Gaylussacia baccata Woodland (Fleming and Coulling 2001) [VA Srank = S4]
= Pinus pungens - Quercus prinus / Kalmia latifolia / Gaylussacia baccata Woodland (Fleming and Patterson 2003)
> Pinus pungens / Quercus ilicifolia / Gaylussacia baccata - Pteridium aquilinum Woodland (Fleming and Moorhead 2000)
= Pinus rigida - Quercus montana - (Pinus virginiana) / (Quercus marilandica) / Kalmia latifolia Woodland (Fleming 2002b)
= Pinus rigida - Quercus prinus - (Pinus virginiana) / (Quercus marilandica) / Kalmia latifolia Woodland (Fleming and Patterson 2003)
> Pinus rigida / Quercus ilicifolia / Gaylussacia baccata Association (Rawinski et al. 1994)
= Quercus montana - Pinus rigida / Quercus ilicifolia / Gaylussacia baccata Woodland (Young et al. 2007a)
> Quercus prinus - Pinus rigida / Quercus ilicifolia - Kalmia latifolia - Gaylussacia baccata / Gaultheria procumbens Woodland (Fleming and Coulling 2001) [VA Srank = S3]
< Chestnut Oak: 44 (Eyre 1980) [chestnut oak - pitch pine variant, pro parte.]
< Pitch Pine: 45 (Eyre 1980) [pitch pine - chestnut oak variant, pro parte.]
Concept Author(s): G.P. Fleming and P.P. Coulling (2001)

Author of Description: G.P. Fleming and P.P. Coulling

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-24-10
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  • Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation, Bureau of Forestry, Harrisburg, PA. 86 pp.
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  • Fleming, G. P. 2002b. Preliminary classification of Piedmont & Inner Coastal Plain vegetation types in Virginia. Natural Heritage Technical Report 02-14. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond. 29 pp.
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