Print Report
CEGL002461 Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum - (Betula alleghaniensis) Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern Red Oak - Sugar Maple - (Yellow Birch) Forest
Colloquial Name: Northern Red Oak - Sugar Maple Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This red oak - hardwood forest is found in the subboreal/mixed hardwood-conifer region of the Great Lakes, in both the United States and Canada. Stands are found on dry to mesic ridgetops and upper to midslopes, occasionally with bedrock outcrops, and on glacial outwash. Soils are moderately shallow (30-60 cm) to deep, varying from fine sands to loams and clay loams. Dominant species in the tree canopy include Quercus rubra, Acer saccharum, and Acer rubrum. Associates include Betula papyrifera, Betula alleghaniensis, Pinus strobus, Populus tremuloides, Populus grandidentata, and in the eastern part of its range, Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, and Ostrya virginiana. Subcanopy species typically include the maples. Shrubs include Amelanchier laevis, Acer pensylvanicum, Corylus cornuta, Hamamelis virginiana, and Lonicera canadensis. Herbs include Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla, Dryopteris carthusiana, Maianthemum canadense, Mitchella repens (creeping semi-shrub), Polygonatum pubescens, and Pteridium aquilinum. Diagnostic species include Quercus rubra along with ground layer species typical of the mixed hardwood-conifer region.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is similar to ~Quercus rubra - (Acer saccharum, Quercus alba) Forest (CEGL005017)$$, which is more southerly and lacks northern trees such as Betula alleghaniensis and possibly Betula papyrifera. This association (CEGL002461) is found in Province 212 while CEGL005017 is limited to Province 222. See also ~Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum - Fagus grandifolia / Viburnum acerifolium Forest (CEGL006633)$$ and ~Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum / Viburnum acerifolium - Lindera benzoin Forest (CEGL006635)$$ in the East. Compare with ~Quercus rubra - Quercus alba - (Quercus velutina, Acer rubrum) / Viburnum acerifolium Forest (CEGL002462)$$, which is more dry. Because the type is thought to have originated through logging and burning of pine stands (at least in Minnesota), its composition is fairly generic. In the Manistee National Forest ecological land type classification, see ELTP 40, 42, 43 (Cleland et al. 1994).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is dominated by deciduous trees. Dominant species in the canopy include Quercus rubra, Acer saccharum, and Acer rubrum. Associates include Betula papyrifera, Betula alleghaniensis, Pinus strobus, Populus tremuloides, Populus grandidentata, and in the eastern part of its range, Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, and Ostrya virginiana. Subcanopy species typically include the maples. Shrubs include Amelanchier laevis, Acer pensylvanicum, Corylus cornuta, and Lonicera canadensis. Herbs include Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Dryopteris carthusiana, Maianthemum canadense, Mitchella repens (creeping semi-shrub), Polygonatum pubescens, and Pteridium aquilinum. Diagnostic species include Quercus rubra with ground layer species typical of the mixed hardwood/conifer region (Chambers et al. 1997).
Dynamics: The type is thought to have originated, at least in part, through a combination of logging and burning of pine or pine-oak stands, and the natural patterns of disturbance are not clear (Nowacki et al. 1990, MNNHP 1993). Nowacki et al. (1990) report that the historical data indicate that these stands were typically pine or pine-oak stands prior to European settlement. Logging and subsequent fires in the mid- to late-1800s created conditions favorable to red oak regeneration. Major recruitment occurred for about 25-30 years after these disturbances. Subsequent low light levels and increased competition from other trees, such as sugar and red maple, have prevented further establishment.
Environmental Description: Stands are found on glacial till (end and ground moraines), mesic portions of glacial outwash and glacial lakebeds, and, farther north, on dry to mesic ridgetops and upper to midslopes, occasionally with bedrock outcrops. Soils are moderately shallow (30-60 cm) to deep, varying from fine sands to loams and clay loams (Nowacki et al. 1990, Chambers et al. 1997). Site characteristics are well-described in central Ontario by Chambers et al. (1997) (ecosites 23.1 and 23.2).
Geographic Range: This red oak-hardwood community is found in the northern hardwood-conifer region of the Great Lakes, in both the United States and Canada, ranging from northeastern Minnesota east to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MI, MN, ON, QC?, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689739
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5
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.7 Sugar Maple - Yellow Birch - Eastern Hemlock Forest Macrogroup | M014 | 1.B.2.Na.7 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.7.h <i>Acer saccharum - Tilia americana - Fagus grandifolia</i> Forest Group | G921 | 1.B.2.Na.7.h |
| Alliance | A4448 Sugar Maple - American Basswood Rich Laurentian Forest Alliance | A4448 | 1.B.2.Na.7.h |
| Association | CEGL002461 Northern Red Oak - Sugar Maple - (Yellow Birch) Forest | CEGL002461 | 1.B.2.Na.7.h |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Northern Dry-Mesic Forest Red Oak-Sugar Maple Subtype]
- CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
- Chambers, B. A., B. J. Naylor, J. Nieppola, B. Merchant, and P. Uhlig. 1997. Field guide to forest ecosystems of central Ontario. Southcentral Science Section (SCSS) Field Guide FG-01, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, North Bay, Ontario, Canada. 200 pp.
- Cleland, D. T., J. B. Hart, G. E. Host, K. S. Pregitzer, and C. W. Ramm. 1994. Field guide to the ecological classification and inventory system of the Huron-Manistee National Forest. USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Hop, K., S. Menard, J. Drake, S. Lubinski, and J. Dieck. 2010a. National Park Service Vegetation Inventory Program: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin. Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR-2010/199. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 310 pp.
- Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]
- Lee, H., W. Bakowsky, J. Riley, J. Bowles, M. Puddister, P. Uhlig, and S. McMurray. 1998. Ecological land classification for southern Ontario: First approximation and its application. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southcentral Science Section, Science Development and Transfer Branch. SCSS Field Guide FG-02.
- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003-2005a. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota. Three volumes: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province (2003), The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province (2005c), The Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands provinces (2005b). Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2005c. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
- Nowacki, G. J., M. D. Abrams, and C. G. Lorimer. 1990. Composition, structure, and historical development of northern red oak stands along an edaphic gradient in north-central Wisconsin. Forest Science 36(2):276-292.
- ONHIC [Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Unpublished data. Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario, Canada.
- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1999b. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Classification of the vegetation of Isle Royale National Park. The Nature Conservancy, Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN, and International Headquarters, Arlington, VA. 143 pp.
- WDNR [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]. 2015. The ecological landscapes of Wisconsin: An assessment of ecological resources and a guide to planning sustainable management. PUB-SS-1131 2015. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison. [http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/landscapes/Book.html]