Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Nuttall Oak - (Water Hickory) / Stiff Dogwood / White Panicle Aster - Whitegrass Floodplain Forest

Colloquial Name: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain Nuttall Oak Bottomland Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This hydric bottomland forest community occurs in areas with deep inundation (commonly to 90-120 cm [3-4 feet]) but good drainage on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southern Arkansas. It does not cover large acreages, usually forming 1- to 10-acre patches in association with bottomland flats. The canopy is tall (over 30 m [100 feet]) and closed under old-growth conditions. Younger stands typically exhibit a denser and more closed canopy. Small gaps due to windthrow are uncommon. The community differs from the Quercus phellos- and Quercus lyrata-dominated forest communities because it does not hold water long after the river returns to its banks, and the soil does not remain as saturated as the flatwoods do. The dominant tree species is Quercus texana (60-70% canopy cover) with Carya aquatica and often Taxodium distichum. Other overstory trees may include Diospyros virginiana, Ilex opaca (rare), Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus lyrata, Quercus phellos, and Ulmus americana. The dominant understory tree is Cornus foemina, with Acer rubrum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ilex decidua occurring as occasional understory trees. Shrubs are uncommon but may include Amorpha fruticosa and Sabal minor. Woody vines are not common but may include Berchemia scandens, Smilax rotundifolia, Smilax smallii, and Toxicodendron radicans. Dominant herbaceous species include Symphyotrichum lanceolatum and Leersia virginica. The herbaceous layer can be sparse under low light conditions and is never dense. There is little leaf litter or duff build-up due to flooding. These forests appear to form on richer, perhaps higher pH and slightly better drained, soils than the surrounding Quercus phellos and Quercus lyrata flats. This forest community forms a mosaic with ~Quercus lyrata - (Quercus phellos, Taxodium distichum) / Carex intumescens - Lycopus virginicus Floodplain Forest (CEGL007989)$$, ~Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Ulmus americana - (Quercus texana) / Bidens aristosa - Leersia virginica Floodplain Forest (CEGL007987)$$, and ~Quercus phellos / Chasmanthium laxum - Carex (flaccosperma, intumescens) - Hymenocallis liriosme Wet Flatwoods Forest (CEGL007371)$$. A very high-quality example is known from the Yellow Creek Hunt Club. Other examples are known from Big Cypress Unique Area and Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The type location is in Dallas County, Arkansas. This community is also known from Sevier and Hempstead counties, Arkansas. It is likely extant throughout the Ouachita River Basin.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This is a small-patch community within the flatwoods matrix. It is probably not a Guyton soil but that is how it is mapped by NRCS. Several high-quality examples are known, but this community is threatened by high-grading due to the value of Nuttall oak.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available