Print Report

A3288 Quercus alba - Quercus falcata - Quercus stellata Ozark-Ouachita Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are dry-mesic upland forests dominated by Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and/or Quercus stellata, with or without Carya species, primarily found in the interior highlands of the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains of the United States.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Post Oak Ozark-Ouachita Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ozark-Ouachita Oak Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance covers dry-mesic upland forests of the interior highlands of the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains of the United States, as well as the adjacent Gulf Coastal Plain or adjacent regions to the Northeast. Stands are dominated by Quercus species, particularly Quercus alba, either alone or in combination with others, including Quercus falcata, Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus velutina, with or without Carya species. Quercus rubra may be found in some examples, particularly on north- and east-facing slopes. Carya species (particularly Carya tomentosa, Carya glabra, Carya pallida, and/or Carya ovata) are typically common either in the canopy or subcanopy. Other associated tree species include Acer rubrum, Amelanchier arborea, Cornus florida, Fraxinus americana, Nyssa sylvatica, Ostrya virginiana, Oxydendrum arboreum, and others. Vaccinium stamineum may be a prominent low shrub. The herb layer composition may be quite variable depending on aspect, but it is may contain Amphicarpaea bracteata, Desmodium glutinosum, Desmodium nudiflorum, Dichanthelium boscii, Monarda bradburiana, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and/or Toxicodendron radicans. Stands are found on gentle to moderately steep lower to upper slopes on uplands and on steep valley sides. The soils are moderately deep to deep and vary from silts to clays and loams.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is partly differentiated on biogeographic criteria. It includes a variety of forests from the Ozark-Ouachita region and the adjacent Gulf Coastal Plain which are dominated by a variable combination of Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and/or Quercus stellata, with or without Carya species. Quercus montana is largely absent from the range of this alliance.

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: These are generally closed to somewhat open-canopied forests with moderately dense to open shrub and herbaceous strata.

Floristics: Stands are dominated by Quercus species, particularly Quercus alba, either alone or in combination with others, including Quercus falcata, Quercus stellata, and/or Quercus velutina, with or without Carya species. Quercus rubra may be found in some examples, particularly on north- and east-facing slopes. Carya species (particularly Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya glabra, Carya ovata, and/or Carya pallida) are typically common either in the canopy or subcanopy. Other associated tree species include Acer rubrum, Amelanchier arborea, Cornus florida, Fraxinus americana, Nyssa sylvatica, Ostrya virginiana, Oxydendrum arboreum, and others. Vaccinium stamineum may be a prominent low shrub. The herb layer composition may be quite variable depending on aspect, but it may contain Amphicarpaea bracteata, Desmodium glutinosum, Desmodium nudiflorum, Dichanthelium boscii, Monarda bradburiana, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and/or Toxicodendron radicans.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Stands are found on gentle to moderately steep lower to upper slopes on uplands and on steep valley sides. The soils are moderately deep to deep and vary from silts to clays and loams.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Ozark and Ouachita ecoregions of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Some associations range into Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana, as well as into the adjacent Gulf Coastal Plain. One association placed here is attributed to the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas, extending into Texas and possibly Louisiana.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA?, MO, MS, OH, OK, TN, TX, 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.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M016 1.B.2.Na.1
Group 1.B.2.Na.1.c White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Northern Red Oak Forest & Woodland Group G159 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Alliance A3288 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Post Oak Ozark-Ouachita Forest Alliance A3288 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002066 White Oak / Flowering Dogwood Unglaciated Forest CEGL002066 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002067 White Oak - Northern Red Oak - Mockernut Hickory / Flowering Dogwood Acidic Forest CEGL002067 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002399 Black Oak - Scarlet Oak - Black Hickory Ruderal Ozark Forest CEGL002399 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002433 White Oak / Pennsylvania Sedge - Ouachita Mountain Sedge Dwarf Forest CEGL002433 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL004068 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Black Oak / Hophornbeam Forest CEGL004068 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL004270 White Oak - Black Oak - Mockernut Hickory / Naked-flower Tick-trefoil Ozark Forest CEGL004270 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL004543 Southern Red Oak - Mockernut Hickory - Shagbark Hickory Forest CEGL004543 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL004796 Northern Red Oak - Shumard Oak Forest CEGL004796 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL007818 White Oak - Mockernut Hickory / Hophornbeam / Pennsylvania Sedge - Little Bluestem Forest CEGL007818 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL007828 Northern Red Oak - Hophornbeam / Common Hoptree - Granite Gooseberry / Woodland Sunflower Woodland CEGL007828 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Association CEGL008415 Southern Red Oak - Post Oak - (Loblolly Pine) West Gulf Coastal Plain Forest CEGL008415 1.B.2.Na.1.c
Concept Lineage: This new alliance brings together associations from several old alliances, some with many members: A.239 (4/29), A.241 (1/12), A.243 (2/7), A.271 (1/3), A.613 (1/6), A.625 (1/35), and A.1911 (2/15).

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: 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.