Print Report

A3260 Acer saccharum - Carya cordiformis - Fraxinus americana Ozark-Ouachita Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These diverse mesic forests are found in the Ozarks and Ouachitas. Examples contain a variable mixture of Acer saccharum (possibly Acer floridanum or Acer nigrum), Aesculus glabra, Carya cordiformis, Carya ovata, Celtis spp., Fraxinus americana, Juglans nigra, Quercus alba, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus rubra, Tilia americana, and Ulmus rubra. In this region, Liriodendron tulipifera is absent and Fagus grandifolia is rare.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sugar Maple - Bitternut Hickory - White Ash Ozark-Ouachita Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ozark-Ouachita Sugar Maple - Hickory - Ash Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This Ozark-Ouachita mesic forest alliance is dominated by a variable mixture of Acer saccharum (or possibly Acer floridanum or Acer nigrum), Aesculus glabra, Carya cordiformis, Carya ovata, Celtis spp., Fraxinus americana, Juglans nigra, Quercus alba, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus rubra, Tilia americana, and Ulmus rubra. Shrubs vary greatly with location but may include Asimina triloba, Lindera benzoin, and Symphoricarpos orbiculatus. This alliance includes forests of base-rich substrates (including soils derived from limestones and dolomites) found in the Ozarks and Ouachitas of the south-central United States. In this region, Liriodendron tulipifera is absent and Fagus grandifolia is rare.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is primarily defined on regional criteria, with the floristic corollary that Liriodendron tulipifera is absent and Fagus grandifolia is rare in this region (Beck 1990, Tubbs and Houston 1990) and therefore in the attributed stands. The absence of Liriodendron tulipifera and the presence of Acer saccharum (or in some cases either Acer floridanum or Acer nigrum), Carya cordiformis, and Fraxinus americana should be at least somewhat diagnostic.

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
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is composed of broad-leaved deciduous trees forming a closed canopy. Understory trees are common, and the shrub layer is of variable structure. The herbaceous layer is generally lush, comprising leafy forbs.

Floristics: Stands are dominated by a variable mixture of Acer saccharum (or in some cases Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum) or Acer nigrum), Aesculus glabra, Carya cordiformis, Carya ovata, Celtis spp., Fraxinus americana, Juglans nigra, Quercus alba, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus rubra, Tilia americana, and Ulmus rubra. The subcanopy may include Acer floridanum or Acer saccharum, Aesculus glabra, Asimina triloba, Euonymus americanus, Euonymus atropurpureus, Frangula caroliniana, Hydrangea arborescens, Ilex decidua, Lindera benzoin, Menispermum canadense, and Ostrya virginiana. Shrubs and woody vines vary greatly with location but may include Asimina triloba, Frangula caroliniana, Hamamelis virginiana, Hydrangea arborescens, Lindera benzoin, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Viburnum rufidulum, and Vitis aestivalis. Characteristic herbs include Actaea racemosa (= Cimicifuga racemosa), Amphicarpaea bracteata, Aplectrum hyemale, Aralia racemosa, Aristolochia serpentaria, Asarum canadense, Brachyelytrum erectum, Cardamine concatenata, Chasmanthium latifolium, Circaea lutetiana ssp. canadensis, Collinsonia canadensis, Cynoglossum virginianum, Desmodium nudiflorum, Dioscorea quaternata, Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Hybanthus concolor, Hydrastis canadensis, Iris cristata, Panax quinquefolius, Phryma leptostachya, Podophyllum peltatum, Polygonum virginianum, Sanguinaria canadensis, Solidago flexicaulis, Stylophorum diphyllum, and Uvularia grandiflora. Numerous ferns may be found as well, including Adiantum pedatum, Asplenium platyneuron, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Deparia acrostichoides (= Athyrium thelypterioides), Diplazium pycnocarpon (= Athyrium pycnocarpon), Phegopteris hexagonoptera, and Polystichum acrostichoides. Examples of this alliance are found in areas where Liriodendron tulipifera is absent and Fagus grandifolia is rare.

Dynamics:  Fire is infrequent in these mesic forests. Canopy gaps develop from individual treefalls, and from ice-storm damage.
Environmental Description:  Stands occur on gentle to moderately steep lower slopes in ravines, valleys, bases of bluffs, and sinkhole basins, generally with northern or eastern aspects. The soils are moderately well-drained and shallow to deep. The substrate is various types of bedrock (and colluvium derived from the bedrock), typically limestone or dolomite, but may also include sandstone material.
Geographic Range: The vegetation of this alliance is found in the Ozarks and Ouachitas of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma (and possibly Kansas). In this region, Liriodendron tulipifera is absent and Fagus grandifolia is rare (Beck 1990, Tubbs and Houston 1990).

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AR, KS?, MO, OK


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

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.5 Central Midwest Mesic Forest Macrogroup M882 1.B.2.Na.5
Group 1.B.2.Na.5.a Sugar Maple - Bitternut Hickory - White Ash Forest Group G791 1.B.2.Na.5.a
Alliance A3260 Sugar Maple - Bitternut Hickory - White Ash Ozark-Ouachita Forest Alliance A3260 1.B.2.Na.5.a
Association CEGL002058 White Oak - Northern Red Oak - Sugar Maple - Bitternut Hickory / Northern Spicebush Forest CEGL002058 1.B.2.Na.5.a
Association CEGL002060 (Sugar Maple, Southern Sugar Maple) - Northern Red Oak - Bitternut Hickory / Pawpaw Forest CEGL002060 1.B.2.Na.5.a
Association CEGL004602 Chinquapin Oak - Shumard Oak Forest CEGL004602 1.B.2.Na.5.a
Association CEGL004662 Chinquapin Oak - Sugar Maple Southeastern Oklahoma Forest CEGL004662 1.B.2.Na.5.a
Association CEGL004794 Sugar Maple - Slippery Elm - Black Walnut Forest CEGL004794 1.B.2.Na.5.a
Association CEGL007811 (Southern Sugar Maple, Sugar Maple) - Black Walnut - White Ash / Eastern Green-violet Forest CEGL007811 1.B.2.Na.5.a
Concept Lineage: This new alliance includes associations from A.1912 and A.251 (two each), and also one each from A.214, A.232, and A.302.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

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

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by Don Faber-Langendoen and Alan Weakley.

Version Date: 04-21-15
  • Beck, D. E. 1990. Liriodendron tulipifera L. Yellow-poplar. Pages 406-416 in: R. M. Burns and B. H. Honkala, technical coordinators. Silvics of North America: Volume 2. Hardwoods. USDA Forest Service. Agriculture Handbook 654. Washington, DC.
  • 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.
  • Tubbs, C. H., and D. R. Houston. 1990. Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. American beech. Pages 325-332 in: R. M. Burns and B. H. Honkala, technical coordinators. Silvics of North America: Volume 2. Hardwoods. USDA Forest Service. Agriculture Handbook 654. Washington, DC.