Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This forest has a closed canopy dominated by oaks (Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, Quercus velutina). The factors determining which species will be most important in a given stand are unknown, and one of these species may be absent or in low abundance in some instances. Ostrya virginiana is a constant and abundant member of the subcanopy of these stands. Dry-site trees (Quercus falcata and Quercus stellata) are lacking from this type. Species such as Liriodendron tulipifera and Fagus grandifolia may be present but are less prevalent than in other associations [see CEGL004663]. Other woody species encountered include Fraxinus americana, Morus rubra, Carya glabra, Carpinus caroliniana, Nyssa sylvatica, Aesculus pavia, and Prunus serotina (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data). Arundinaria gigantea may be locally abundant. A number of species may be present in the herbaceous layer, including Arisaema dracontium, Podophyllum peltatum, Phegopteris hexagonoptera, Cynoglossum virginianum, Dioscorea quaternata, Polystichum acrostichoides, Carex spp., and others. Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum) and Asimina triloba are diagnostic species of this forest. The former is typically dominant in the subcanopy and the latter is abundant in the shrub layer.

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, especially Acer saccharum, from the surrounding areas. Some form of fire management may be necessary to maintain oak dominance and regeneration.