Print Report
CEGL006192 Quercus rubra - Acer rubrum / Pyrularia pubera / Thelypteris noveboracensis Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern Red Oak - Red Maple / Buffalo-nut / New York Fern Forest
Colloquial Name: Appalachian Montane Oak - Hickory Forest (Red Oak Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association includes Quercus rubra forests at intermediate elevations (mostly below 1067 m [3500 feet], ranging from 610-1220 m [2000-4000 feet]) occurring in the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment, the Smoky Mountains and the Southern Blue Ridge. It may possibly range into adjacent areas of the Cumberland Plateau. These forests occur on mostly northern to eastern and southeastern, mid to upper, moderately steep slopes of intermediate exposure over acidic soils. The canopy is dominated by Quercus rubra, often with other oaks and Acer rubrum and/or Liriodendron tulipifera codominating. Other minor canopy species may include Betula lenta, Carya tomentosa, Carya glabra, Halesia tetraptera, Quercus alba, Quercus montana, and Magnolia fraseri. In some examples, hickories are sparse or absent. The subcanopy and sapling strata include the canopy species, as well as Halesia tetraptera, Betula lenta, Tsuga canadensis, Cornus florida, Acer pensylvanicum, and Oxydendrum arboreum. The shrub stratum is typically sparse but may have local dominance by Gaylussacia ursina or Rhododendron maximum. Herbaceous cover is sparse to moderate but can be species-rich. Ferns can be locally dominant, typically Thelypteris noveboracensis and Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides. This forest is distinguished from High Elevation Red Oak forests [see associations in ~Quercus rubra - Quercus alba Montane Forest Alliance (A3116)$$] by lack of species such as Betula alleghaniensis, Ilex montana, Vaccinium simulatum, and by lacking abundant Hamamelis virginiana, as well as its occurrence at generally lower elevations. It is also characterized by having a more mixed oak composition (versus nearly monospecific Quercus rubra). In the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment region, these montane oak-hickory forests seem to occupy environments intermediate between more-protected forests dominated by Quercus alba and drier more-exposed Quercus montana forests.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association was originally defined from the Chattooga Basin Project (S. Simon pers. comm.) and later refined with information from the Great Smoky Mountains. Global name and concept may need revision as more information becomes available. This association may be a subset of the more broadly defined ~Quercus alba - Quercus (rubra, montana) / Rhododendron calendulaceum - (Gaylussacia ursina) Forest (CEGL007230)$$ but is distinguished by the dominance of Quercus rubra, its generally protected topographic setting, and may represent areas formerly dominated by Quercus rubra and Castanea dentata.
In a Southern Appalachian regional analysis (1134 plots) for the Appalachian Trail project, only nine North Carolina and Tennessee plots were classified as this type (Fleming and Patterson 2009a). This analysis confirms that this type does not reach Virginia, and suggests that its range is concentrated in the higher, more southern part of the Southern Appalachians (Great Smoky Mountains and Nantahala Mountains), where high rainfall and microclimatic conditions may favor the dispersal of Quercus rubra forests to lower elevations than further north. The most constant and abundant species in these plots are Quercus rubra, Acer rubrum, Dioscorea quaternata, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Carya glabra, Acer pensylvanicum, Oxydendrum arboreum, Smilax rotundifolia, Gaylussacia ursina, Halesia tetraptera var. monticola, Rhododendron calendulaceum, and Castanea dentata.
In a Southern Appalachian regional analysis (1134 plots) for the Appalachian Trail project, only nine North Carolina and Tennessee plots were classified as this type (Fleming and Patterson 2009a). This analysis confirms that this type does not reach Virginia, and suggests that its range is concentrated in the higher, more southern part of the Southern Appalachians (Great Smoky Mountains and Nantahala Mountains), where high rainfall and microclimatic conditions may favor the dispersal of Quercus rubra forests to lower elevations than further north. The most constant and abundant species in these plots are Quercus rubra, Acer rubrum, Dioscorea quaternata, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Carya glabra, Acer pensylvanicum, Oxydendrum arboreum, Smilax rotundifolia, Gaylussacia ursina, Halesia tetraptera var. monticola, Rhododendron calendulaceum, and Castanea dentata.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is dominated by Quercus rubra, often with other oaks and Acer rubrum and/or Liriodendron tulipifera codominating. Other minor canopy species may include Betula lenta, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya glabra, Halesia tetraptera, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), and Magnolia fraseri. In some examples, hickories are sparse or absent. The subcanopy and sapling strata include the canopy species, as well as Halesia tetraptera, Quercus alba, Betula lenta, Tsuga canadensis, Cornus florida, Acer pensylvanicum, and Oxydendrum arboreum. The shrub stratum is typically sparse but may have local dominance by Gaylussacia ursina or Rhododendron maximum. Other typical species in the shrub stratum include Castanea dentata, Calycanthus floridus, Pyrularia pubera, Rhododendron calendulaceum, Vaccinium corymbosum, and Viburnum acerifolium. In the northernmost range of this association (northwestern North Carolina), Calycanthus floridus and Gaylussacia ursina are usually absent from the shrub layer. Herbaceous cover is sparse to moderate but can be species rich. Ferns can be locally dominant, typically Thelypteris noveboracensis and Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides. Other typical species include Eurybia divaricata (= Aster divaricatus), Carex spp. (e.g., Carex aestivalis, Carex debilis, Carex digitalis, Carex laxiflora var. laxiflora, Carex pensylvanica), Chimaphila maculata (= var. maculata), Desmodium nudiflorum, Dioscorea quaternata, Eutrochium purpureum (= Eupatorium purpureum), Galium latifolium, Galax urceolata, Goodyera pubescens, Houstonia purpurea var. purpurea, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, Medeola virginiana, Polygonatum biflorum, Polystichum acrostichoides, Solidago curtisii (= Solidago caesia var. curtisii), and Uvularia puberula. Common vines are Smilax rotundifolia, Smilax glauca, and Vitis aestivalis.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association includes Quercus rubra forests at intermediate elevations (mostly below 1065 m [3500 feet], ranging from 610-1220 m [2000-4000 feet]) in the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment to the Cumberlands and Southern Ridge and Valley (455-1005 m [1500-3300 feet]), the Smoky Mountains and the Southern Blue Ridge, and may possibly range into adjacent areas of the Cumberland Plateau. These forests occur on mostly northern to eastern and southeastern, mid to upper, moderately steep slopes of intermediate exposure over acidic soils. In the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment region, these montane oak - hickory forests seem to occupy environments intermediate between more protected forests dominated by Quercus alba and drier, more exposed Quercus montana forests.
Geographic Range: This association is found in the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment and Cumberlands/Southern Ridge and Valley, the Smoky Mountains and the Southern Blue Ridge, and may possibly range into adjacent areas of the Cumberland Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, KY, NC, SC, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688299
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 | CEGL006192 Northern Red Oak - Red Maple / Buffalo-nut / New York Fern Forest | CEGL006192 | 1.B.2.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < IA6h. Montane Oak - Hickory Forest (Allard 1990)
- 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.
- 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.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Simon, Steve. Personal communication. Ecologist. USDA Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville, NC.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- White, Jr., R. D. 2003. Vascular plant inventory and plant community classification for Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 160 pp.
- White, R. D., Jr. 2006. Vascular plant inventory and ecological community classification for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 246 pp.