Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pine species - Norway Spruce - Red Maple - Tuliptree Ruderal Forest

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Pine - Norway Spruce - Hardwoods Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is currently described only from Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio. This forest community is found on generally flat sites. Since this community occurs where former conifer plantations are becoming decadent and succeeding to a mixed hardwood-conifer forest, there is often substantial downed trees and branches. Canopy gaps are frequent and many of the old conifer trees have sparse crowns. This mixed conifer-hardwood forest is formed when old conifer plantations become decadent and the conifers begin to die. Early-successional hardwood species, particularly Acer rubrum, Liriodendron tulipifera, Prunus serotina, and Populus spp., proliferate under the thinning conifer canopy. The conifer component is often one species, depending on the original plantation. Pinus resinosa, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus strobus, Pinus virginiana, and Picea abies are the most common at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The shrub stratum density varies. Where the canopy is thin and more light is allowed, the shrub stratum is often dense. Where the tree canopy is denser, the shrub stratum is usually sparse to moderate.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available