Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This association is characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy of Acer grandidentatum that is typically codominated by Quercus gambelii with 10-50% cover. Celtis laevigata var. reticulata, Juniperus scopulorum, or Juniperus osteosperma may also be present to abundant. Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies concolor trees may be scattered throughout the stand. The shrub layer is variable, depending on the stand age, elevation and habitat. It ranges from dense Quercus gambelii-dominated tall-shrub stratum to a mixed short-shrub layer that includes Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Prunus virginiana, Amelanchier utahensis, Mahonia repens, Physocarpus malvaceus, Paxistima myrsinites, Acer glabrum, Holodiscus dumosus, Jamesia americana, and Rosa woodsii. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse because of shading. Associates include graminoids such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Carex hoodii, Elymus glaucus, Poa fendleriana, and Pseudoroegneria spicata, and forbs Galium multiflorum, Heterotheca villosa, Heuchera parviflora, Thalictrum fendleri, Vicia americana, and species of Lathyrus, Osmorhiza, Eriogonum, and Polygonum.

Dynamics:  This association is closely related to oakbrush types of Utah (Quercus gambelii-dominated and -codominated communities), sharing many of the same species (Reem 1960, 1964, Kunzler et al. 1981). Kunzler et al. (1981) suggested that the maple stands sampled by Reem (1960, 1964) in the Wasatch Mountains are likely late-seral stages of the oakbrush types.

Quercus gambelii is a fire-adapted rhizomatous shrub that can form dense clones and will vigorously resprout after a burn (FEIS 2001). Acer grandidentatum is also rhizomatous, but resprouts much less vigorously after burning, so Quercus gambelii is favored by frequent fires (FEIS 2001). However, throughout much of this association''s range, stands are restricted to relatively mesic sites such as along streams, shady canyon bottoms, and on cool northern aspects at higher elevations where fire is less frequent. Where stands are more widespread in the northern part of its range in the Wasatch Mountains, Acer grandidentatum has recently been invading Quercus gambelii stands growing on open slopes with warm aspects. Harper et al. (1985) suggested these drier sites had greater fire frequency prior to fire suppression that favored the more fire-adapted oak. Now with fire suppression, Acer grandidentatum has been slowly colonizing these relatively xeric habitats. Research is needed to verify this hypothesis.