Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Stands of this forest are dominated by Quercus alba and often Quercus rubra, Carya ovata, and Carya carolinae-septentrionalis in combination with other species of Quercus and Carya (i.e., Quercus velutina, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya glabra). Other overstory and understory species that may occur include Liquidambar styraciflua, Carya ovalis, Fraxinus americana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Viburnum rafinesqueanum, Viburnum prunifolium, Ostrya virginiana, Chionanthus virginicus, Ulmus americana, Carpinus caroliniana, Pinus taeda, and Pinus echinata. Acer leucoderme is an important understory component in some Georgia Piedmont stands. Proportions of Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer rubrum, and Pinus spp. increase following disturbance. Occurrences usually have closed canopies and moderately well-developed subcanopy and shrub layers. Herbaceous cover in this association may vary considerably with site conditions, land-use history, and levels of deer herbivory. Some stands have rather sparse herb layers with <25% total cover and only scattered patches of dry-mesophytic forbs and graminoids such as Desmodium nudiflorum, Galium circaezans, Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, Polygonatum biflorum var. biflorum, Uvularia perfoliata, Aristolochia serpentaria, Scleria oligantha, Botrychium virginianum, Agrimonia rostellata, Bromus pubescens, Carex albicans, Carex laxiflora var. laxiflora, Carex planispicata, Dichanthelium boscii, Elymus hystrix var. hystrix, Festuca subverticillata, Scutellaria elliptica, and Tiarella cordifolia var. collina. Other stands have high cover of scrambling vines, such Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Bignonia capreolata, and Vitis rotundifolia, that preclude a diversity of herbaceous species. On the best sites, especially those not subject to heavy deer grazing, stands may have well-developed herb layers with >50% cover and impressive species richness (e.g., >80 taxa per 400 m2). A number of species with Piedmont distributions restricted to calcium- or magnesium-rich soils have been documented in this association in both Virginia and North Carolina, including Blephilia ciliata, Clematis ochroleuca, Matelea decipiens, Matelea obliqua, Polygala senega, Ruellia purshiana, Salvia urticifolia, Scutellaria nervosa, Scutellaria ovata, Scutellaria serrata, and Triosteum angustifolium.

Dynamics:  This community is not regarded as a fire-adapted type, but as in other oak-dominated forests, periodic light fire may be important for maintaining oak dominance over more shade-tolerant hardwoods. Periodic light fire would not alter the composition of the canopy but would reduce subcanopy and shrub cover and promote more herb growth. Natural tree replacement occurs on a tree-by-tree basis. This is a climax community and can be expected to maintain dominance on a site in the absence of catastrophic disturbance.