Print Report

A3229 Acer rubrum - Prunus serotina - Pinus strobus Ruderal Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This early-successional forest vegetation of the northeastern United States occurs on sites that are becoming reforested after having been cleared for agriculture, long abandoned plantations or otherwise heavily modified in the past, with a generalist set of native, non-planted species, including Acer rubrum, Fraxinus americana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Pinus strobus, Prunus serotina, and Robinia pseudoacacia.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Maple - Black Cherry - Eastern White Pine Ruderal Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Northeastern Ruderal Conifer - Hardwood Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This early-successional forest vegetation of the northeastern United States occurs on sites that are becoming reforested after having been cleared for agriculture or otherwise heavily modified in the past. Environmental setting varies, but generally sites are dry-mesic to mesic, with small seepage inclusions in some examples. Physiognomy of this vegetation is highly variable, ranging from closed forest to open woodland and scrub. The generalist set of native, non-planted species include a combination of tree species, such as Acer rubrum, Fraxinus americana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Pinus strobus, and Prunus serotina. Other associates can include Acer negundo, Acer saccharinum, Ailanthus altissima, Amelanchier spp., Betula lenta, Betula populifolia, Juglans nigra, Juniperus virginiana, Pinus strobus, Populus grandidentata, Quercus spp., Robinia pseudoacacia, Sassafras albidum, and Ulmus americana. The low-shrub layer, if present, is usually characterized by the presence of Rubus spp. such as Rubus allegheniensis, Rubus flagellaris, Rubus hispidus, or Rubus phoenicolasius. This layer is often dominated by exotic species such as Berberis thunbergii, Crataegus spp., Lonicera morrowii, Lonicera tatarica, Rhamnus cathartica, and Rosa multiflora. The herbaceous layer is variable, often containing grasses and forbs of both native and exotic origin. The invasive species Alliaria petiolata, Microstegium vimineum, and Polygonum cespitosum can be abundant in this disturbed forest type. These forests are often young and resulted from the colonization of old agricultural fields by woody species. Recent disturbance or abundant invasive species give these forest stands a weedy character. It is unlikely that these stands will succeed to a natural plant community dominated by native species.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Tree species include some combination of Prunus serotina, Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Acer rubrum that singly or together exceed 80 (90?)% canopy cover. Other associates can include Acer negundo, Acer saccharinum, Ailanthus altissima, Amelanchier spp., Betula lenta, Betula populifolia, Juglans nigra, Juniperus virginiana, Pinus strobus, Populus grandidentata, Quercus spp., Sassafras albidum, and Ulmus americana. The low-shrub layer, if present, is usually characterized by the presence of generalist shrubs such as Rubus spp. such as Rubus flagellaris, Rubus allegheniensis, Rubus phoenicolasius, or Rubus hispidus, and or by exotic species such as Berberis thunbergii, Crataegus spp., Lonicera morrowii, Lonicera tatarica, Rhamnus cathartica, and Rosa multiflora. The herbaceous layer is variable, often containing grasses and forbs of both native and exotic origin.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This vegetation is broadly defined and varies widely in composition across its range, presenting a classification challenge at the alliance level. Its concept has not been described in the literature before.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Physiognomy of this vegetation is highly variable, ranging from closed forest to open woodland and scrub.

Floristics: Early-successional woody species dominate the canopy in a widely variable mix, depending on geographic location. Tree species often include some combination of native, non-planted species, such as Acer rubrum, Fraxinus americana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Pinus strobus, Prunus serotina, and Robinia pseudoacacia. Other associates can include Acer negundo, Acer saccharinum, Ailanthus altissima, Amelanchier spp., Betula lenta, Betula populifolia, Juglans nigra, Juniperus virginiana, Pinus strobus, Populus grandidentata, Quercus spp., Sassafras albidum, and Ulmus americana. Other woody species may contribute to the canopy or form a tall-shrub layer, including Lindera benzoin and Carpinus caroliniana. The low-shrub layer, if present, is usually characterized by the presence of Rubus spp., such as Rubus allegheniensis, Rubus flagellaris, Rubus hispidus, or Rubus phoenicolasius. This layer is often dominated by exotic species such as Berberis thunbergii, Crataegus spp., Lonicera morrowii, Lonicera tatarica, Rhamnus cathartica, and Rosa multiflora. The herbaceous layer is variable, often containing grasses and forbs of both native and exotic origin. Common species include Ageratina altissima var. altissima, Allium vineale, Arisaema triphyllum, Calystegia sepium ssp. sepium, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Galium aparine, Glechoma hederacea, Impatiens capensis, Oxalis stricta, Polygonum persicaria, Polygonum virginianum, Polystichum acrostichoides, and Veronica officinalis, among many others. The invasive species Alliaria petiolata, Microstegium vimineum, and Polygonum cespitosum can be abundant in this disturbed forest type. Vines can be absent or abundant. In stands with high vine cover, the vegetation structure can be altered by the weight of the vines pulling down trees and shrubs. Common vines include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Vitis labrusca, and the invasive vines Celastrus orbiculatus and Lonicera japonica.

Dynamics:  These forests are often young and resulted from the colonization of old agricultural fields by woody species. Early-successional woody species dominate the canopy in a widely variable mix, depending on geographic location. In the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic Piedmont, many stands represent decadent forests that were once dominated by Robinia pseudoacacia but are now mixed with various mid-successional hardwoods; other stands in this region regenerated as mixed stands, or from abandoned plantations, such as those of Picea abies. Recent disturbance or abundant invasive species give these forest stands a weedy character. It is unlikely that these stands will succeed to a natural plant community dominated by native species.
Environmental Description:  This vegetation occurs on sites that have been cleared for agriculture, were planted with conifer plantation species and then abandoned, or were otherwise heavily modified in the past. Generally sites are dry-mesic and may have small seepage inclusions in some examples. Occasionally this type may occur in former agricultural bottomlands, in which case the soils may be temporarily flooded or saturated.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the northern and central U.S. from southern Maine south to Virginia and west to eastern Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, NB, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, QC, RI, 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 A3229 Red Maple - Black Cherry - Eastern White Pine Ruderal Forest Alliance A3229 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL004133 Black Cherry - Sassafras - (White Ash) / Eastern Red-cedar Ruderal Forest CEGL004133 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005208 Pine species - Norway Spruce - Red Maple - Tuliptree Ruderal Forest CEGL005208 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL006506 Northern Red Oak - Red Maple - Birch species - Eastern White Pine Ruderal Forest CEGL006506 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL006599 Black Cherry - Tuliptree - Red Maple - White Ash - (Black Locust) Ruderal Forest CEGL006599 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL006628 Sugar Maple - Birch species - American Beech Ruderal Forest CEGL006628 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL008503 Sweet Birch - Red Maple / Stiff Clubmoss - Eastern Hay-scented Fern Ruderal Forest CEGL008503 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Concept Lineage: parts of several alliances (A.237, A.251, A610)

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.