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CEGL002468 Populus tremuloides - Betula papyrifera - Acer saccharum - Mixed Hardwoods Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - Paper Birch - Sugar Maple - Mixed Hardwoods Forest

Colloquial Name: Aspen - Birch - Sugar Maple - Mixed Hardwoods Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This subboreal aspen - birch forest type is found in the north-central United States and southern Canada on a variety of mesic upland locations. This community has been found on rich sites over clay or silt loam soils. Deciduous trees dominate the canopy and tree reproduction layers of this community. Conifers, when present, are widely scattered. Tree density is moderate to high, but substantial light penetrates the canopy due to the growth form of the dominant species, Betula papyrifera and Populus tremuloides. Other northern hardwoods may be found in the canopy but are more common in the sapling layer. These include Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ostrya virginiana, Quercus rubra, Tilia americana, and Ulmus americana (in more mesic sites). Fagus grandifolia and Tsuga canadensis become more common in eastern examples of this type. The shrub stratum is usually not well-developed due to shading from the canopy and subcanopy trees. Scattered Acer spicatum, Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera and Rubus pubescens are typical shrubs. Taxus canadensis and Acer pensylvanicum are present on some sites. The herbaceous layer contains species such as Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla, Clintonia borealis, Maianthemum canadense, Oryzopsis asperifolia, and Streptopus lanceolatus var. longipes. Mosses include Dicranum flagellare, Dicranum montanum, and others.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type includes stands dominated by a mixture of Populus tremuloides and Betula papyrifera, with as little as 10% Populus tremuloides. Pure stands of Betula papyrifera (>90%) are classified as a pure Betula type, ~Betula papyrifera - Acer saccharum / Mixed Hardwoods Forest (CEGL002464)$$. For Minnesota, see Minnesota DNR (2005a), which has a better distribution map than does Minnesota DNR (2003).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Deciduous trees dominate the canopy and tree reproduction layers of this community. Conifers, when present, are widely scattered. Tree density is moderate to high, but substantial light penetrates the canopy due to the growth form of the dominant species, Betula papyrifera and Populus tremuloides. Other northern hardwoods may be found in the canopy but are more common in the sapling layer. These include Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ostrya virginiana, Tilia americana, and Ulmus americana (in more mesic sites). Fagus grandifolia and Tsuga canadensis become more common in eastern examples of this type. The shrub stratum is usually not well-developed due to shading from the canopy and subcanopy trees. Scattered Acer spicatum, Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, and Rubus pubescens are typical shrubs. Taxus canadensis and Acer pensylvanicum are present on some sites. For example, Hansen et al. (1973) found Taxus canadensis to be one of the more abundant shrubs on Isle Royale in Lake Superior. They also found this type to have the most diverse herbaceous layer of their sites. The herbaceous layer contains species such as Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Clintonia borealis, Maianthemum canadense, Oryzopsis asperifolia, and Streptopus lanceolatus var. longipes (= Streptopus roseus). Mosses include Dicranum flagellare, Dicranum montanum, and others (Chambers et al. 1997).

Dynamics:  This community is not stable. It succeeds to stands dominated by northern hardwoods.
Environmental Description:  This community is found on a variety of rich mesic sites over clay or silt loam soils. Alban et al. (1991) identified two examples of this community in Minnesota and upper Michigan. Both sites had 6 cm of organic material over the mineral soil. One site was on clay soil and the other on silt loam.
Geographic Range: This boreal aspen - birch forest type is found in the north-central United States and southern Canada on a variety of mesic upland locations, ranging from Minnesota and Ontario east to Michigan.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  MI, MN, ON, QC?, WI


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5

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 A4444 Paper Birch - Quaking Aspen Laurentian Forest Alliance A4444 1.B.2.Na.7.h
Association CEGL002468 Quaking Aspen - Paper Birch - Sugar Maple - Mixed Hardwoods Forest CEGL002468 1.B.2.Na.7.h
Concept Lineage: That type was too fine a split based on little evidence.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Populus tremuloides - Betula papyrifera / Acer saccharum - Mixed Hardwoods Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Northern Mesic Forest Aspen-Birch / Hardwoods Subtype]
= Aspen - Birch Forest Northern Hardwoods Subtype (MNNHP 1993)
> Baltimore Flats (Alban et al. 1991)
< CNE mesic hardwood forest on acidic bedrock/till (Rawinski 1984a)
= Paper Birch - Sugar Maple - Yellow Birch (Hansen et al. 1973)
> Pike Bay (Alban et al. 1991)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: J. Drake

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-15-96
  • Alban, D. H., D. A. Perala, M. F. Jurgensen, M. E. Ostry, and J. R. Probst. 1991. Aspen ecosystem properties in the Upper Great Lakes. Research Paper NC-300. USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. St. Paul, MN. 47 pp.
  • 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.
  • 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.).
  • Hansen, H. L., L. W. Krefting, and V. Kurmis. 1973. The forest of Isle Royale in relation to fire history and wildlife. University of Minnesota, Agricultural Experiment Station, Technical Bulletin 294, Forestry Series 13.
  • 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]. 2003. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
  • ONHIC [Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Unpublished data. Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario, Canada.
  • Rawinski, T. 1984a. Natural community description abstract - southern New England calcareous seepage swamp. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Boston, MA. 6 pp.
  • 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]