Print Report
CEGL008514 Quercus rubra - Quercus montana - Carya ovalis / (Cercis canadensis) / Solidago caesia Forest
Type Concept Sentence: This basic oak - hickory forest is found on lower- to middle-elevation slopes in the northern Blue Ridge and adjacent western Piedmont; characteristic tree species dominating the stands include Quercus rubra, Quercus montana, and Carya ovalis, with Fraxinus americana, Cercis canadensis, and Cornus florida.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern Red Oak - Chestnut Oak - Red Hickory / (Eastern Redbud) / Wreath Goldenrod Forest
Colloquial Name: Central Appalachian Basic Oak - Hickory Forest (Western Piedmont / Lower Blue Ridge Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is currently known from a narrow range in the Northern Blue Ridge and adjacent inner Piedmont of Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. It is restricted to the western Piedmont foothills and lower- to middle-elevation slopes and spurs of the main Blue Ridge. Elevation ranges from 140 to 950 m (450-3100 feet). The type is generally associated with base-rich soils weathered from mafic igneous and metamorphic rocks, including metabasalt, amphibolite, pyroxene-bearing granulite, charnockite, and actinolite schist. It also occurs less frequently on granitic rocks and calcareous metasiltones and phyllites. Habitats are more-or-less rocky, gentle to steep, submesic to subxeric slopes with a wide range of aspects. Midslope topographic positions are typical, but stands occasionally occur on lower or upper slopes and crests. This association is a true oak-hickory forest with mixed canopy dominance by several Quercus spp. and Carya spp. In particular, Carya ovalis, Quercus rubra, and Quercus montana are consistent codominants and have the highest importance values based on standard forestry statistics generated from stem-diameter measurements. Quercus alba, Quercus velutina, Carya tomentosa, Carya glabra, Fraxinus americana, and Liriodendron tulipifera are less constant canopy species but achieve codominance in some stands. Carya spp., Quercus spp., Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, Fraxinus americana, and Sassafras albidum are well-represented in lower tree strata. Cercis canadensis (at lower elevations) and, to a lesser extent, Cornus florida dominate the shrub and lowest tree layers, while Viburnum acerifolium is a common low shrub. A large number of herbaceous species occur in the type.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In the context of the VDNH George Washington / Jefferson National Forest dataset (VDNH unpubl. data), Desmodium nudiflorum has the highest unscaled adjusted Indicator Value among herbs of this community type. However, plots representing this association were also analyzed in a 477-plot dataset of Piedmont and Inner Coastal Plain vegetation, where Desmodium nudiflorum attained much higher indicator status in other vegetation types. Because of these results, Solidago caesia was chosen as a nominal herb for this community, instead of Desmodium nudiflorum.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is a true oak-hickory forest with variable mixed canopy dominance by several Quercus spp. and Carya spp. Carya ovalis, Quercus rubra, and Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus) are consistent codominants and have the highest importance values (IV) based on standard forestry statistics generated from stem-diameter measurements. Quercus alba, Quercus velutina, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya glabra, Fraxinus americana, and Liriodendron tulipifera are less constant canopy species but achieve codominance in some stands. Carya spp., Quercus spp., Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, Fraxinus americana, and Sassafras albidum are well-represented in lower tree strata. Cercis canadensis and, to a lesser extent, Cornus florida dominate the shrub and lowest tree layers, while Viburnum acerifolium is a common low shrub. Cercis canadensis, however, is elevation-limited in this region and is commonly absent from stands on the main Blue Ridge. Small patches of Vaccinium pallidum and Vaccinium stamineum may be present, but as a rule, ericads are sparse. Additional shrubs and small trees of irregular but local importance include Ostrya virginiana, Asimina triloba, Ulmus rubra, Amelanchier arborea, and Hamamelis virginiana. Climbing lianas of Toxicodendron radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Vitis spp. are common. The herb layer varies from somewhat sparse to fairly dense. A large number of herbaceous species occur in the type, but Desmodium nudiflorum, Solidago caesia, Dioscorea quaternata, Galium circaezans, Circaea lutetiana ssp. canadensis, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Botrychium virginianum, Geum virginianum, Phryma leptostachya, Actaea racemosa (= Cimicifuga racemosa), Aristolochia serpentaria, and Cardamine concatenata are particularly characteristic. The latter species, Thalictrum thalictroides, and Claytonia virginica completely dominate the early spring herbaceous aspect, carpeting the ground with their small white flowers. Solidago curtisii usually replaces Solidago caesia at the higher end of the elevational range. Herbs that may be locally common or abundant include Dryopteris marginalis, Desmodium glutinosum, and Aralia nudicaulis. Species richness of plot-sampled stands ranges from 43 to 103 taxa per 400 m2 (mean = 70).
Dynamics: The proportion of Liriodendron tulipifera increases with canopy disturbance. Consequently, in many stands logged during the 20th century, Liriodendron is codominant with the oaks and hickories. Some stands of this association have been modified by repeated cutting and are now heavily dominated by Liriodendron tulipifera. Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Polygonum cespitosum var. longisetum, and exotics such as Ailanthus altissima, Rubus phoenicolasius, and Celastrus orbiculatus often become established in canopy gaps following timber harvests or gypsy moth damage. In recent years, the abundance of Cornus florida has been significantly reduced by mortality resulting from dogwood anthracnose.
Environmental Description: This association is restricted to the western Piedmont foothills and lower- to middle-elevation slopes and spurs of the main Blue Ridge. Elevation ranges from 140 to 950 m (450-3100 feet). The type is generally associated with base-rich soils weathered from mafic igneous and metamorphic rocks, including metabasalt, amphibolite, pyroxene-bearing granulite, charnockite, and actinolite schist. It also less frequently occurs on granitic rocks and calcareous metasiltones and phyllites. In 75 plot-sampled stands, elevation ranges from 140 to 950 m (450-3100 feet), with a mean of 485 m (1590 feet). Occurrences above 850 m (2800 feet) are uncommon and restricted to warm, south- to west-facing slopes. Habitats are more-or-less rocky, gentle to steep (mean = 17°), submesic to subxeric slopes with a wide range of aspects. Middle-slope topographic positions are typical, but stands occasionally occur on lower or upper slopes and crests. Surficial cover of outcrops and boulders in plots averages about 10%. Soils are dark, very stony, clay, silt, or silty-clay loams. Although pH ranges from extremely acidic to circumneutral, these soils consistently have moderately high levels of calcium, magnesium, and manganese.
Geographic Range: This community type is currently known from a narrow range in the Northern Blue Ridge and adjacent inner Piedmont of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia, extending into the northern periphery of the Southern Blue Ridge. The type appears to be co-extensive with several mafic, igneous and metamorphic rocks, but also occurs on granitic substrates, metasiltstone and phyllite.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD, VA, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688949
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.c White Oak - Chestnut Oak - Pignut Hickory Forest & Woodland Group | G650 | 1.B.2.Na.2.c |
| Alliance | A4436 White Oak - Pignut Hickory - White Ash Forest Alliance | A4436 | 1.B.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL008514 Northern Red Oak - Chestnut Oak - Red Hickory / (Eastern Redbud) / Wreath Goldenrod Forest | CEGL008514 | 1.B.2.Na.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus montana - Quercus rubra - Carya ovalis / Desmodium nudiflorum - Dichanthelium boscii Forest (Fleming 2002b)
= Quercus rubra - Quercus montana - Carya ovalis / (Cercis canadensis) / Solidago caesia Forest (Fleming and Taverna 2006)
= Quercus rubra - Quercus montana - Carya ovalis / Solidago caesia - Desmodium nudiflorum Forest (Young et al. 2007a)
= Quercus rubra - Quercus prinus - Carya ovalis / Cercis canadensis / Solidago caesia Forest (Fleming and Coulling 2001)
= Central Appalachian Basic Oak - Hickory Forest (Submontane / Foothills Type) (Young et al. 2006)
< White Oak - Black Oak - Northern Red Oak: 52 (Eyre 1980)
= Quercus rubra - Quercus montana - Carya ovalis / (Cercis canadensis) / Solidago caesia Forest (Fleming and Taverna 2006)
= Quercus rubra - Quercus montana - Carya ovalis / Solidago caesia - Desmodium nudiflorum Forest (Young et al. 2007a)
= Quercus rubra - Quercus prinus - Carya ovalis / Cercis canadensis / Solidago caesia Forest (Fleming and Coulling 2001)
= Central Appalachian Basic Oak - Hickory Forest (Submontane / Foothills Type) (Young et al. 2006)
< White Oak - Black Oak - Northern Red Oak: 52 (Eyre 1980)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- 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. 2002a. Ecological communities of the Bull Run Mountains, Virginia: Baseline vegetation and floristic data for conservation planning and natural area stewardship. Natural Heritage Technical Report 02-12. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond. 274 pp. plus appendices.
- 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.
- 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., K. Taverna, and P. P. Coulling. 2007b. Vegetation classification for the National Capitol Region parks, eastern region. Regional (VA-MD-DC) analysis prepared for NatureServe and USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, March 2007. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2003. Preliminary vegetation classification for the National Capitol Region parks. Regional (VA-WVA-MD-DC) analysis prepared for NatureServe and USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, March 2003. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- 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, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009b. Classification of selected Virginia montane wetland groups. In-house analysis, December 2009. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, G. P., and K. Taverna. 2006. Vegetation classification for the National Capitol Region parks, western region. Regional (VA-WVA-MD-DC) analysis prepared for NatureServe and USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, March 2006. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulling. 2001. Ecological communities of the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Preliminary classification and description of vegetation types. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 317 pp.
- Harrison, J. W. 2011. The natural communities of Maryland: 2011 working list of ecological community groups and community types. Unpublished report. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis. 33 pp.
- Harrison, J. W., compiler. 2004. Classification of vegetation communities of Maryland: First iteration. A subset of the International Classification of Ecological Communities: Terrestrial Vegetation of the United States, NatureServe. Maryland Natural Heritage Program, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis. 243 pp.
- Lea, C. 2003. Vegetation types in the National Capital Region Parks. Draft for review by NatureServe, Virginia Natural Heritage, West Virginia Natural Heritage, Maryland Natural Heritage, and National Park Service. March 2003. 140 pp.
- Lea, C. 2004. Draft vegetation types in National Capital Region Parks. Edited by S.C. Gawler and J. Teague. Working draft for review by NatureServe, Virginia Natural Heritage, West Virginia Natural Heritage, Maryland Natural Heritage, and National Park Service. July 2004. 157 pp.
- WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.
- Young, J., G. Fleming, P. Townsend, and J. Foster. 2006. Vegetation of Shenandoah National Park in relation to environmental gradients. Final Report (v.1.1). Research technical report prepared for USDI, National Park Service. USGS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. 92 pp. plus appendices.
- Young, J., G. Fleming, P. Townsend, and J. Foster. 2007a. Vegetation of Shenandoah National Park in relation to environmental gradients. Final Report, volume 1.1. Unpublished report submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. 103 pp. plus appendices and GIS products.
- Young, J., G. Fleming, W. Cass, and C. Lea. 2009. Vegetation of Shenandoah National Park in relation to environmental gradients, Version 2.0. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2009/142. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 389 pp.