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A3228 Liriodendron tulipifera - Juglans nigra - Robinia pseudoacacia Ruderal Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This ruderal forest alliance includes deciduous forests dominated by Gleditsia triacanthos, Juglans nigra, Liriodendron tulipifera, or Robinia pseudoacacia primarily in areas which were once clearcut, old fields, or cleared by fire or other natural disturbances and often planted to these species, but not maintained.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tuliptree - Black Walnut - Black Locust Ruderal Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Tuliptree - Black Walnut - Black Locust Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance includes deciduous forests dominated by Gleditsia triacanthos, Juglans nigra, Liriodendron tulipifera, or Robinia pseudoacacia primarily in areas which were once clearcut, old fields, or cleared by fire or other natural disturbances, and then planted to these species, but with no regular maintenance. Three suballiances are recognized based on dominant species: (1) Liriodendron tulipifera stands occur on old clearcut sites and old fields. This suballiance includes pure, often even-aged stands of Liriodendron tulipifera. Associated species vary with geographic location. Throughout most of the range of this suballiance Acer rubrum, Robinia pseudoacacia, Betula lenta, Acer saccharum, and Acer negundo are common components. (2) Juglans nigra - Gleditsia triacanthos stands are often associated with former homesites or other disturbances on fertile alluvial deposits. Associated canopy trees vary from site to site and can include Liriodendron tulipifera, Juglans cinerea, Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus americana, Ulmus americana, Platanus occidentalis, Acer saccharum, Acer nigrum, and Morus rubra. The shrub layer may or may not be well-developed; common species include Asimina triloba, Viburnum prunifolium, Lindera benzoin, Corylus americana, and the exotic invasive Rosa multiflora. (3) Robinia pseudoacacia stands occur in pure stands or makes up the majority of the canopy. These are short-lived forests that typically result from planting or invasion following land abandonment or fire, or from other severe disturbance.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance includes pure, often even-aged, and often planted, but not maintained stands of Liriodendron tulipifera, Robinia pseudoacacia, Gleditsia triacanthos, or Juglans nigra, as well as mixed forests of these species with other species favored by human-caused disturbances. Associated species vary with geographic location. Throughout most of the range of this alliance, Acer rubrum, Betula lenta, Acer saccharum, and Acer negundo are common components.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type is often planted, but sites are not maintained by regular human activity, so they have native and naturalized species that establish. Non-planted stands may have an overall composition that resembles stands in ~Acer rubrum - Prunus serotina - Pinus strobus Ruderal Forest Alliance (A3229)$$.

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

Floristics: This alliance includes deciduous forests dominated by Gleditsia triacanthos, Juglans nigra, Liriodendron tulipifera, or Robinia pseudoacacia. Three suballiances are recognized based on dominant species: (1) Liriodendron tulipifera stands occur on old clearcut sites and old fields. This alliance includes pure, often even-aged stands of Liriodendron tulipifera. Associated species vary with geographic location. Throughout most of the range of this alliance, Acer rubrum, Robinia pseudoacacia, Betula lenta, Acer saccharum, and Acer negundo are common components. (2) Juglans nigra - Gleditsia triacanthos stands are often associated with former homesites or other disturbances on fertile alluvial deposits. Associated canopy trees vary from site to site and can include Liriodendron tulipifera, Juglans cinerea, Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus americana, Ulmus americana, Platanus occidentalis, Acer saccharum, Acer nigrum, and Morus rubra. Sassafras albidum and/or Carpinus caroliniana may be present as small trees. The shrub layer may or may not be well-developed; common species include Asimina triloba, Viburnum prunifolium, Lindera benzoin, Corylus americana, and the exotic invasive Rosa multiflora. The herb layer is variable, often with one or a few species providing most of the cover. Verbesina alternifolia (within its range) and Ageratina altissima are characteristic and may be dominant. The invasive exotics Microstegium vimineum, Alliaria petiolata, and Polygonum cespitosum can be common in this community. (3) Robinia pseudoacacia stands are often mono-dominant. These are short-lived forests that typically result from planting or invasion following land abandonment or fire, or from other severe disturbance. Stands are usually small (10-15 ha [30-40 acres]), with associated species varying widely depending on geography and habitat.

Dynamics:  These forests may not persist with the current set of dominant tree species after the first generation of trees dies, but the direction of long-term development is unclear.
Environmental Description:  These forests often occur in areas which were once clearcut, old fields, or cleared by fire or other natural disturbances, and then planted to these species, but with no regular maintenance.
Geographic Range: Forests in this alliance are found locally throughout the eastern United States and in extreme southeastern Canada on a wide range of disturbed sites.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, ON, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

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.90 Black Locust - Tuliptree - Norway Maple Ruderal Forest Macrogroup M013 1.B.2.Na.90
Group 1.B.2.Na.90.a Eastern Red-cedar - Tuliptree / Tatarian Honeysuckle Ruderal Forest Group G030 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Alliance A3228 Tuliptree - Black Walnut - Black Locust Ruderal Forest Alliance A3228 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL003686 Honey-locust - (Winged Elm, Slippery Elm) Ruderal Woodland CEGL003686 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL004096 Sassafras - Oak species Ruderal Forest CEGL004096 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL004184 Dotted Hawthorn - Fanleaf Hawthorn Ruderal Forest CEGL004184 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL004345 Honey-locust - Black Walnut / Rye Brome - Kentucky Bluegrass Ruderal Woodland CEGL004345 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL004693 Black Walnut - Common Hackberry Ruderal Forest CEGL004693 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL004697 (Sugarberry, Common Hackberry) - Elm species - (Ohio Buckeye) Ruderal Forest CEGL004697 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005239 Green Ash - American Elm - (Black Walnut, Common Hackberry) Ruderal Forest CEGL005239 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL007184 Tuliptree - Box-elder Ruderal Forest CEGL007184 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL007218 Tuliptree Ruderal Forest CEGL007218 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL007219 Tuliptree - Red Maple - Black Locust Ruderal Forest CEGL007219 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL007220 Tuliptree / (Eastern Redbud) / (Northern Spicebush) Ruderal Forest CEGL007220 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL007221 Tuliptree - Oak species Ruderal Forest CEGL007221 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL007279 Black Locust Ruderal Forest CEGL007279 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL007281 Black Locust - Common Hackberry - (White Ash, Tuliptree) Ruderal Forest CEGL007281 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL007879 Black Walnut / Wingstem Ruderal Forest CEGL007879 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Concept Lineage: parts of several alliances (A.232, A.236, A.256, A.259, A.606, A.1932, A.2012, A.2025)

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • 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.