Print Report
CEGL007233 Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya ovalis / Acer saccharum / Polystichum acrostichoides Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Oak - Northern Red Oak - Red Hickory / Sugar Maple / Christmas Fern Forest
Colloquial Name: Rich Low-Elevation Appalachian Oak - Hickory Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a dry-mesic to mesic, low-montane oak-hickory forest of the Ridge and Valley, Cumberland Mountains, and adjacent Southern Blue Ridge. It has moderately high species diversity, with a variable mixed overstory of Quercus rubra, Quercus alba, Carya ovalis, Carya ovata, Carya tomentosa, Liriodendron tulipifera and, less frequently, Carya cordiformis, Magnolia acuminata, Quercus velutina, and Quercus montana. The most characteristic subcanopy species are Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Sassafras albidum, Nyssa sylvatica, Oxydendrum arboreum, Ulmus rubra, Cornus florida, and Ostrya virginiana. Shrubs of various heights are commonly present; these may include Frangula caroliniana, Corylus cornuta, Corylus americana, Vaccinium stamineum, Cercis canadensis, Asimina triloba, Morus rubra, and Lindera benzoin. The herb layer is often diverse; the most constant patch-dominants include Polystichum acrostichoides, Desmodium nudiflorum, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Dichanthelium boscii, Actaea racemosa, and Ageratina altissima var. altissima. Some other herbs include Podophyllum peltatum, Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, Desmodium pauciflorum, Desmodium glutinosum, Galium circaezans, Uvularia perfoliata, Dioscorea quaternata, Arisaema triphyllum, Conopholis americana, Geranium maculatum, Solidago curtisii, Scutellaria elliptica, Brachyelytrum erectum, Eutrochium purpureum var. purpureum, Collinsonia canadensis, and Polymnia canadensis. Many other mesophytic and dry-mesophytic herbs occur at low cover. The canopy is generally closed (>75% cover).
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is primarily a type of the Ridge and Valley and Cumberlands (Alabama to southwestern Virginia), but it also occurs on metasedimentary substrates at low elevations on the western flank of the Blue Ridge, in northern Georgia, Tennessee, and extreme western North Carolina (Hot Springs Window). There is at least one occurrence in the upper Piedmont of Georgia. Occurrences in Kentucky and West Virginia are likely. The range of this association (CEGL007233) barely overlaps that of ~Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Quercus montana / Collinsonia canadensis - Podophyllum peltatum Forest (CEGL007692)$$, and where it does, it is separated from the latter by elevation and soils (G. Fleming pers. comm. 2009, Fleming and Patterson 2009a).
This association was originally described from the Tellico Pilot Project (Ridge and Valley of Tennessee, northeastern Monroe County; 26 stands sampled) as the Quercus alba - Carya ovata - Carya tomentosa Forest, where it was recorded from slopes with northwestern, northern and eastern aspects at elevations from 250 to 300 m (820-1000 feet). The high dominance of Acer saccharum in the subcanopy of some stands is thought to be due to the mesic site conditions combined with lack of fire. Twenty-five plots from a wider geographic range were classified as this association in the Appalachian Trail classification project (Fleming and Patterson 2009a). More information is needed on the variability of this community across its range. Described from the Ridge and Valley of Tennessee, the concept is generally applied to forests in the southern Cumberlands and adjacent Southern Blue Ridge.
This is an unglaciated equivalent of a Midwestern element of glaciated landscapes, ~Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya ovata Glaciated Forest (CEGL002068)$$ of Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri north to Ontario. A related drier forest association is ~Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya ovata / Cercis canadensis - Juniperus virginiana Forest (CEGL007240)$$. It may also be similar to some limestone forests in Virginia''s Ridge and Valley (Acer saccharum var. saccharum - Quercus rubra - Carya [glabra, ovata] / Ageratina altissima Forest (Fleming 1999)) (G. Fleming pers. comm.). In addition, the association has been identified in the far western edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at a southerly aspect at about 570 m (1870 feet) in elevation.
This association was originally described from the Tellico Pilot Project (Ridge and Valley of Tennessee, northeastern Monroe County; 26 stands sampled) as the Quercus alba - Carya ovata - Carya tomentosa Forest, where it was recorded from slopes with northwestern, northern and eastern aspects at elevations from 250 to 300 m (820-1000 feet). The high dominance of Acer saccharum in the subcanopy of some stands is thought to be due to the mesic site conditions combined with lack of fire. Twenty-five plots from a wider geographic range were classified as this association in the Appalachian Trail classification project (Fleming and Patterson 2009a). More information is needed on the variability of this community across its range. Described from the Ridge and Valley of Tennessee, the concept is generally applied to forests in the southern Cumberlands and adjacent Southern Blue Ridge.
This is an unglaciated equivalent of a Midwestern element of glaciated landscapes, ~Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya ovata Glaciated Forest (CEGL002068)$$ of Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri north to Ontario. A related drier forest association is ~Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya ovata / Cercis canadensis - Juniperus virginiana Forest (CEGL007240)$$. It may also be similar to some limestone forests in Virginia''s Ridge and Valley (Acer saccharum var. saccharum - Quercus rubra - Carya [glabra, ovata] / Ageratina altissima Forest (Fleming 1999)) (G. Fleming pers. comm.). In addition, the association has been identified in the far western edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at a southerly aspect at about 570 m (1870 feet) in elevation.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a dry-mesic to mesic, low-montane oak-hickory forest with moderately high species diversity. It has a variable mixed overstory of Quercus rubra, Quercus alba, Carya ovalis, Carya ovata, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Liriodendron tulipifera and, less frequently, Carya cordiformis, Magnolia acuminata, Quercus velutina, and Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus). Some stands may also include Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Pinus virginiana, Aesculus flava, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus falcata, Quercus muehlenbergii, Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Pinus echinata, Pinus strobus, Prunus serotina, Quercus coccinea, Ulmus alata, Juglans nigra, Tsuga canadensis, and Ulmus rubra. The canopy is generally closed (>75% cover). The most characteristic subcanopy species are Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Sassafras albidum, Nyssa sylvatica, Oxydendrum arboreum, Ulmus rubra, Cornus florida, and Ostrya virginiana, with Liquidambar styraciflua, Ulmus alata, and Prunus serotina present in some stands. Acer saccharum and/or Acer rubrum typically strongly dominate the subcanopy. In the Tellico Pilot Project, Acer saccharum had a relative frequency value of >90% and an average canopy cover dominance of >25%. It is speculated that this high dominance is due to the mesic site conditions and lack of fire. Scrambling and low-climbing vines of Toxicodendron radicans and Smilax rotundifolia are frequent. Shrubs of various heights are commonly present; these may include Frangula caroliniana, Corylus cornuta, Corylus americana, Vaccinium stamineum, Cercis canadensis, Asimina triloba, Morus rubra, and Lindera benzoin. The shrub and herbaceous layers tend to have a percent cover of >25%. The herb layer is often diverse; the most constant patch-dominants include Polystichum acrostichoides, Desmodium nudiflorum, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Dichanthelium boscii, Actaea racemosa, and Ageratina altissima var. altissima. Other herbs that can be important in some stands include Podophyllum peltatum, Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, Desmodium pauciflorum, Desmodium glutinosum, Galium circaezans, Uvularia perfoliata, Dioscorea quaternata, Arisaema triphyllum, Conopholis americana, Geranium maculatum, Solidago curtisii, Scutellaria elliptica, Brachyelytrum erectum, Eutrochium purpureum var. purpureum (= Eupatorium purpureum var. purpureum), Collinsonia canadensis, and Polymnia canadensis.
A stand on the western edge of the Blue Ridge (Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, M221Dd418, Dry Branch #1) contains Quercus alba, Carya ovata, Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra, Aesculus flava, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Juglans nigra, and Quercus stellata in the canopy; Ostrya virginiana, Cercis canadensis, Ulmus rubra, Fraxinus americana, Ulmus alata, Quercus montana, and Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana in the subcanopy; Frangula caroliniana as a tall shrub; Symphoricarpos orbiculatus and Vaccinium stamineum in the low-shrub stratum; Parthenocissus quinquefolia as a woody vine; and Bromus pubescens, Elymus hystrix, Carex sp., Carex pensylvanica, Sedum ternatum, Asplenium platyneuron, Hybanthus concolor, Carex communis, Dichanthelium boscii (= Panicum boscii), Asplenium resiliens, Symphyotrichum undulatum (= Aster undulatus), Dioscorea quaternata, Solidago caesia, Galium circaezans, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Pellaea atropurpurea, Verbesina occidentalis, Scutellaria elliptica, Arabis sp., Agrimonia sp., Geum sp., Eurybia divaricata (= Aster divaricatus), Conyza canadensis, Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Maianthemum racemosum, Monarda fistulosa, Sanicula canadensis, Solidago erecta (= Solidago speciosa var. erecta), Viola x palmata, and Thalictrum sp. as herbs.
A stand on the western edge of the Blue Ridge (Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, M221Dd418, Dry Branch #1) contains Quercus alba, Carya ovata, Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra, Aesculus flava, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Juglans nigra, and Quercus stellata in the canopy; Ostrya virginiana, Cercis canadensis, Ulmus rubra, Fraxinus americana, Ulmus alata, Quercus montana, and Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana in the subcanopy; Frangula caroliniana as a tall shrub; Symphoricarpos orbiculatus and Vaccinium stamineum in the low-shrub stratum; Parthenocissus quinquefolia as a woody vine; and Bromus pubescens, Elymus hystrix, Carex sp., Carex pensylvanica, Sedum ternatum, Asplenium platyneuron, Hybanthus concolor, Carex communis, Dichanthelium boscii (= Panicum boscii), Asplenium resiliens, Symphyotrichum undulatum (= Aster undulatus), Dioscorea quaternata, Solidago caesia, Galium circaezans, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Pellaea atropurpurea, Verbesina occidentalis, Scutellaria elliptica, Arabis sp., Agrimonia sp., Geum sp., Eurybia divaricata (= Aster divaricatus), Conyza canadensis, Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Maianthemum racemosum, Monarda fistulosa, Sanicula canadensis, Solidago erecta (= Solidago speciosa var. erecta), Viola x palmata, and Thalictrum sp. as herbs.
Dynamics: Disturbances from fires and mudslides were observed in many of the Tellico Pilot Project sites of this type. Mesic site conditions can limit fire disturbance. Without disturbance this community may develop into an Acer saccharum or Acer rubrum forest type, as the subcanopy is strongly dominated by one or both of those species.
Environmental Description: Most examples occur between 460 and 850 m (1500-2800 feet) (mean = 615 m [2018 feet]), with a few sites as low as 260 m (850 feet). It occupies a variety of sites, slope positions and aspects, most commonly northwestern to eastern. Most, if not all, sample sites for this type are underlain by sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks, including shale, metashale, siltstone, calcareous sandstone, and interbedded limestone and sandstone. Soil samples collected from plots have moderately high mean high calcium and magnesium, and manganese content.
Geographic Range: This is primarily a type of the Ridge and Valley and Cumberlands from Alabama to southwestern Virginia, but it also occurs at low elevations on the western flank of the Blue Ridge, in northern Georgia, Tennessee, and extreme western North Carolina (Hot Springs Window). There is at least one occurrence in the upper Piedmont of Georgia. Occurrences in Kentucky and West Virginia are likely.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA, KY, TN, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688029
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.a Chestnut Oak - Hickory species / American Chestnut Forest Group | G015 | 1.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A4390 White Oak - Northern Red Oak - Quercus montana Forest Alliance | A4390 | 1.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL007233 White Oak - Northern Red Oak - Red Hickory / Sugar Maple / Christmas Fern Forest | CEGL007233 | 1.B.2.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: Merged with a related type described from the same study [Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya (ovata, glabra) Forest (CEGL007239), n=47] from which it apparently differed only in the presence or absence of Quercus rubra as a canopy dominant.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Quercus alba - Carya ovata - Carya tomentosa (sic) Forest (Andreu and Tukman 1995)
> Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya (ovata, glabra) Forest (Andreu and Tukman 1995)
= Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya ovalis / Cercis canadensis / Amphicarpaea bracteata - Desmodium glutinosum Forest (Fleming and Patterson 2009a)
< IA6i. Interior Upland Dry-Mesic Oak - Hickory Forest (Allard 1990)
= Mesic White Oak Type (Schmalzer and DeSelm 1982)
< Mesotrophic Forest (Rawinski 1992)
< White Oak: 53 (Eyre 1980)
> Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya (ovata, glabra) Forest (Andreu and Tukman 1995)
= Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Carya ovalis / Cercis canadensis / Amphicarpaea bracteata - Desmodium glutinosum Forest (Fleming and Patterson 2009a)
< IA6i. Interior Upland Dry-Mesic Oak - Hickory Forest (Allard 1990)
= Mesic White Oak Type (Schmalzer and DeSelm 1982)
< Mesotrophic Forest (Rawinski 1992)
< White Oak: 53 (Eyre 1980)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Andreu, M. G., and M. L. Tukman. 1995. Forest communities of the Tellico Lake Area, East Tennessee. M.F. project report, Duke University, School of the Environment. Durham, NC. 66 pp. plus appendices.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- Fleming, G. P. 1999. Plant communities of limestone, dolomite, and other calcareous substrates in the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Natural Heritage Technical Report 99-4. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond. Unpublished report submitted to the USDA Forest Service. 218 pp. plus appendices.
- Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009a. A vegetation classification for the Appalachian Trail: Virginia south to Georgia. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. In-house analysis, March 2009.
- Fleming, Gary P. Personal communication. Ecologist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Rawinski, T. J. 1992. A classification of Virginia''s indigenous biotic communities: Vegetated terrestrial, palustrine, and estuarine community classes. Unpublished document. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. Natural Heritage Technical Report No. 92-21. Richmond, VA. 25 pp.
- Schmalzer, P. A., and H. R. DeSelm. 1982. Vegetation, endangered and threatened plants, critical plant habitats and vascular flora of the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Unpublished report. USDI National Park Service, Obed Wild and Scenic River. 2 volumes. 369 pp.
- Schotz, A., M. Hall, and R. D. White, Jr. 2006. Vascular plant inventory and ecological community classification for Russell Cave National Monument. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 108 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- White, R. D., Jr. 2006. Vascular plant inventory and ecological community classification for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 246 pp.