Print Report

A0794 Fraxinus quadrangulata - Quercus macrocarpa / Arundinaria gigantea Open Woodland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are stands of Arundinaria gigantea with scattered deciduous trees which occurred historically in Kentucky''s Bluegrass Region, with Fraxinus quadrangulata, Quercus macrocarpa, and Quercus muehlenbergii present at low densities.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Blue Ash - Bur Oak / Giant Cane Open Woodland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Kentucky Bur Oak / Cane Open Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance includes stands of Arundinaria gigantea with scattered deciduous trees; it occurred historically in Kentucky''s Bluegrass Region, with Fraxinus quadrangulata, Quercus macrocarpa, and Quercus muehlenbergii present at low densities (between 10 and 25% total cover of trees). It includes an association in which Quercus muehlenbergii codominates with Quercus macrocarpa.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Compositionally related to a similar woodland type, but this is primarily shrub- (cane-) dominated, with scattered trees. The native trees (Fraxinus quadrangulata, Quercus macrocarpa, and Quercus muehlenbergii) set this apart from Arundinaria stands of the coastal plains.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Is this just a more open variant of the old Fraxinus quadrangulata - Quercus macrocarpa - Quercus muehlenbergii Woodland Alliance (A.605)? Comment reads "is related in composition, local landscape context, and distribution." Not sure if this actually exists today in any case.

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

Floristics: This association occurred historically in Kentucky''s Bluegrass Region. Stands are dominated by Arundinaria gigantea with scattered deciduous trees, primarily Fraxinus quadrangulata, Quercus macrocarpa, and Quercus muehlenbergii. Trees are present at low densities (between 10 and 25% total cover of trees).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This alliance occurred historically in Kentucky''s Bluegrass Region and possibly elsewhere. It is not clear if there are any extant examples, although it is presumed to be a restoration target.

Nations: US?

States/Provinces:  KY?


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GH

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.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M016 1.B.2.Na.1
Group 1.B.2.Na.1.e Chinquapin Oak - Shumard Oak - Blue Ash Forest & Woodland Group G601 1.B.2.Na.1.e
Alliance A0794 Blue Ash - Bur Oak / Giant Cane Open Woodland Alliance A0794 1.B.2.Na.1.e
Association CEGL003835 Blue Ash - Bur Oak / Giant Cane Wooded Shrubland CEGL003835 1.B.2.Na.1.e
Association CEGL004436 Blue Ash - Bur Oak - Chinquapin Oak / Giant Cane / Wildrye species Woodland CEGL004436 1.B.2.Na.1.e
Concept Lineage: III.A.2.N.f. Arundinaria gigantea Wooded Shrubland Alliance (A.794) - one to one

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Bur Oak: 42 (Eyre 1980)
Concept Author(s): M. Evans, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by Marc Evans and Julian Campbell.

Version Date: 03-14-14
  • Campbell, J. J. N. 1980a. Present and presettlement forest conditions in the Inner Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Kentucky, Lexington. 109 pp. [Excerpts only]
  • Campbell, J. J. N. 1989b. Historical evidence of presettlement forest composition in the Inner Bluegrass of Kentucky. Pages 231-246 in: G. Rink and C. A. Budelsky, editors. Proceedings of the Seventh Central Hardwood Forest Conference, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
  • Davidson, U. M. 1950. The original vegetation of Lexington, Kentucky and vicinity. M.S. thesis, University of Kentucky, Lexington. 45 pp.
  • Evans, M., B. Yahn, and M. Hines. 2009. Natural communities of Kentucky 2009. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort, KY. 22 pp.
  • Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • McInteer, B. B. 1952. Original vegetation in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. Castanea 17:153-164.
  • Platt, S. G., and C. G. Brantley. 1997. Canebrakes: An ecological and historical perspective. Castanea 62:8-21.