Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This forest has a closed canopy dominated by Quercus alba. Quercus falcata is locally diagnostic of this type and suggestive of the intermediate moisture status (it tends to be absent from more mesic stands, while drier stands support Quercus stellata). Cornus florida appears to also indicate this moisture status. Quercus velutina may be common in the overstory of these stands but is also common in more mesic stands on Crowley''s Ridge (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data). Other woody species may include Ostrya virginiana, Cornus florida, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya pallida, Diospyros virginiana, Ulmus alata, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Magnolia acuminata (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data). A number of species may be present in the herbaceous layer, including Maianthemum racemosum, Sanicula canadensis, Toxicodendron radicans, Campsis radicans, Smilax bona-nox, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dichanthelium boscii, Polystichum acrostichoides, Carex spp., and others.

Dynamics:  The landscape in which this community occurs is highly dissected and surrounded by ravines and bottomlands. These factors suggest that naturally occurring fire events would have been rare. However, it is not clear how stable this oak-dominated forest would be given continued invasion of more mesic species from the surrounding areas. Some form of fire management may be necessary to maintain oak dominance and regeneration.