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A3269 Pinus echinata - Pinus pungens - Quercus montana Appalachian Woodland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This Appalachian shortleaf pine - oak forest alliance is found in the Southern Blue Ridge and adjacent regions, and examples are typically dominated by Pinus echinata with dry-site oaks, typically including Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata, Quercus montana, Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus velutina.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shortleaf Pine - Table Mountain Pine - Chestnut Oak Appalachian Woodland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Appalachian Shortleaf Pine - Oak Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This Appalachian shortleaf pine - oak forest alliance is found in the Southern Blue Ridge and adjacent regions, including the Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, Central Appalachians and the Interior Low Plateau from Alabama and Georgia north and east to Kentucky, Virginia, the Carolinas, and possibly West Virginia. Stands of this alliance are typically dominated by Pinus echinata with dry-site oaks and other hardwoods. The typical oaks include Quercus coccinea, Quercus montana, Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus velutina. Some stands may contain Quercus falcata. Other hardwoods may include Acer rubrum, Carya glabra, Carya pallida, Cornus florida, Ilex opaca var. opaca, Nyssa sylvatica, and/or Oxydendrum arboreum. The shrub layer is typically dominated by Vaccinium pallidum. Other shrubs include Castanea pumila, Gaylussacia baccata, Gaylussacia ursina, Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron calendulaceum, Rhododendron minus, Vaccinium arboreum, and Vaccinium stamineum. The most frequent native grasses are Danthonia spicata, Piptochaetium avenaceum, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Typical forbs include Antennaria plantaginifolia, Coreopsis major, Helianthus microcephalus, Pityopsis graminifolia var. latifolia, Symphyotrichum concolor, and Symphyotrichum patens. These forests typically occur on exposed, rocky ridges and upper, convex slopes, as well as more protected sites. Species composition varies with bedrock geology, aspect, and degree of exposure.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands are dominated by Pinus echinata, possibly with Pinus pungens and/or Pinus rigida. One hardwood with some diagnostic value is Quercus montana.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: In the Chattooga Basin, quantitative analysis showed the local manifestation of this alliance concept to apply to a large percentage of the vegetation sampled in this tri-state watershed (S. Simon pers. comm.). It accommodates shortleaf pine - dry-site oak forests of the greater Southern Appalachian region (including the southern Ridge and Valley and Cumberland Plateau).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands range from relatively open woodland physiognomy to more closed forest-like conditions. On rocky sites, canopies may be slightly stunted.

Floristics: Examples of this alliance have canopies which are codominated by Pinus echinata and combinations of dry-site oaks that may include Quercus coccinea, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus velutina. Some stands may contain Quercus falcata. In addition, Pinus pungens and/or Pinus rigida may be present. Mid-canopy trees can be scattered or form a well-developed subcanopy. Common subcanopy trees can include Acer rubrum, Carya glabra, Carya pallida, Cornus florida, Ilex opaca var. opaca, Nyssa sylvatica, and/or Oxydendrum arboreum. The shrub stratum varies in composition and density but is typically dominated by Vaccinium pallidum. Other shrubs include Castanea pumila, Gaylussacia baccata, Gaylussacia ursina, Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron calendulaceum, Rhododendron minus, Vaccinium stamineum, and Vaccinium arboreum. Smilax glauca and Vitis rotundifolia are common vines. The most frequent native grasses are Danthonia spicata, Dichanthelium dichotomum, Piptochaetium avenaceum, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Typical forbs include Antennaria plantaginifolia, Coreopsis major, Goodyera pubescens, Helianthus microcephalus, Pityopsis graminifolia var. latifolia, Silphium compositum, Symphyotrichum concolor, and Symphyotrichum patens.

Dynamics:  This vegetation is presumably at least somewhat fire-dependent, and fire (prescribed or natural) will stimulate regeneration of Pinus echinata. Many occurrences of this community are highly disturbed and contain exotic species such as Dioscorea oppositifolia, Ligustrum japonicum, and Lonicera japonica. In many occurrences, stands of Pinus echinata have been attacked by the southern pine bark beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis), which will eventually kill the trees. Fire-maintained woodlands dominated by Pinus echinata occurred historically in the Appalachian regions of Alabama, north through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and possibly Virginia, on dry ridges and slopes or rock outcrops. Almost no intact examples are known to persist, although restoration efforts are underway in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, the Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia, and in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.
Environmental Description:  Stands are found at relatively lower elevations where Pinus echinata codominates in association with Quercus species and other Appalachian flora. This vegetation occurs on exposed, rocky ridges and upper, convex slopes, at elevations at or below 670 m (2200 feet), as well as on ridges and upper slopes, typically with southern to western exposures.
Geographic Range: Vegetation of this alliance is found in the Southern Blue Ridge and adjacent regions, including the Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, Central Appalachians and the Interior Low Plateau from Alabama and Georgia north and east to Kentucky, Virginia, the Carolinas, and possibly West Virginia.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, GA, IN, KY, NC, OH, SC, TN, VA, WV


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.2 Appalachian-Northeastern Oak - Hardwood - Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M502 1.B.2.Na.2
Group 1.B.2.Na.2.g Table Mountain Pine - Virginia Pine - Pitch Pine Woodland & Barrens Group G905 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Alliance A3269 Shortleaf Pine - Table Mountain Pine - Chestnut Oak Appalachian Woodland Alliance A3269 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL003560 Shortleaf Pine / Little Bluestem Appalachian Woodland CEGL003560 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL003765 Shortleaf Pine - Post Oak - Blackjack Oak / Blue Ridge Blueberry Woodland CEGL003765 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL004445 Shortleaf Pine - Chestnut Oak - Post Oak / Blue Ridge Blueberry / Common Silk-grass Woodland CEGL004445 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL004761 Shortleaf Pine - Chestnut Oak - (Scarlet Oak, Black Oak) Forest CEGL004761 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL007078 Shortleaf Pine / (Blue Ridge Blueberry, Deerberry) - Mountain Laurel Forest CEGL007078 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL007493 Shortleaf Pine - (Chestnut Oak, Southern Red Oak) / Sourwood / Blue Ridge Blueberry Forest CEGL007493 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL007496 Shortleaf Pine - Chestnut Oak / Piedmont Rhododendron / Blue Ridge Blueberry Forest CEGL007496 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL007500 Shortleaf Pine - Post Oak - Chestnut Oak / Poverty Oatgrass Forest CEGL007500 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Association CEGL008427 Shortleaf Pine - White Oak / Blue Ridge Blueberry / Arrowleaf Heartleaf - Striped Prince''s-pine Forest CEGL008427 1.B.2.Na.2.g
Concept Lineage: This alliance includes some associations from the Pinus echinata - Quercus (coccinea, prinus) Forest Alliance (A.395; I.C.3.N.a).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< IA6a. Dry Shortleaf Pine - Oak - Hickory Forest (Allard 1990)
>< Shortleaf Pine - Oak: 76 (Eyre 1980)
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 Steve Simon, Karen Patterson, and Alan Weakley.

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 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.
  • Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
  • Simon, Steve. Personal communication. Ecologist. USDA Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville, NC.