Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Oak - Black Oak - Mockernut Hickory / Naked-flower Tick-trefoil Ozark Forest

Colloquial Name: Ozark-Ouachita Dry-Mesic White Oak - Black Oak - Hickory Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This dry-mesic white oak - hickory forest is found in the Ozark and Ouachita ecoregions of Arkansas and possibly Oklahoma and Missouri. Stands occur in dissected landscapes at moderate elevations (200-550 m [600-1800 feet]), on mid to higher slopes of various aspects, as well as toeslopes of gently convex form. Examples on different aspects vary somewhat in expression; however, the canopy is typically dominated by Quercus alba, Quercus velutina, and Carya tomentosa. Carya glabra is common and Quercus rubra may be found in some examples, particularly on north- and east-facing slopes. The subcanopy may also contain Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Amelanchier arborea, and Nyssa sylvatica. Acer rubrum, Cornus florida, Ostrya virginiana, and Vaccinium stamineum may be prominent low shrubs. The herb layer composition may be quite variable depending on aspect, but it is typically dominated by Amphicarpaea bracteata, Desmodium glutinosum, Desmodium nudiflorum, Dichanthelium boscii, Monarda bradburiana, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and/or Toxicodendron radicans.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type was developed as an Ozarkian analogue to ~Quercus alba - Carya tomentosa - (Quercus velutina) / Desmodium nudiflorum - (Carex picta) Forest (CEGL007795)$$ of the Interior Low Plateau. In Illinois and Indiana this type may overlap in concept with ~Quercus alba / Cornus florida Unglaciated Forest (CEGL002066)$$; this relationship should be reviewed. Alternatively, there may be some overlap with unglaciated Ozarkian stands placed in ~Quercus velutina - Quercus alba - Carya (glabra, ovata) Forest (CEGL002076)$$. However, CEGL002076 is described as dry to dry-mesic, with trees often spreading and stunted, whereas sites of this association are dry-mesic to mesic, and trees are not stunted. Overstory associates of CEGL002776 include Quercus coccinea, Quercus montana, and Quercus stellata, none of which are common in this type.

At Buffalo National River, black oak commonly occurs in or dominates forests on mesic to dry-mesic sites in the park. These typically have a forest rather than woodland structure, burn relatively infrequently, and trees are generally large and not moisture-stressed. Our review of the USNVC associations attributed to the region did not locate an association that comfortably describes the communities observed and sampled at Buffalo River. The closest fit we found was with an association that occurs east of the Mississippi River, Interior Dry-Mesic White Oak - Hickory Forest (~Quercus alba - Carya tomentosa - (Quercus velutina) / Desmodium nudiflorum - (Carex picta) Forest (CEGL007795)$$). While we believed that CEGL007795 differs in enough respects that the communities we sampled should be placed in a separate association, we temporarily placed these plots there in order to highlight their similarities to that association rather than any that have been previously defined west of the Mississippi River. Based on our data, we recommend that these plots be assigned to the association defined here.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available