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A3294 Quercus stellata - Carya spp. - Pinus echinata Piedmont Woodland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are dry open-canopy forests typically dominated by Quercus marilandica and/or Quercus stellata, possibly with Pinus echinata, found in the southern Piedmont and possibly the adjacent upper Coastal Plain. They range from primarily deciduous to mixed depending on fire interval.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Post Oak - Hickory species - Shortleaf Pine Piedmont Woodland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Piedmont Post Oak - Hickory - Pine Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: These are dry open-canopy forests typically dominated by Quercus marilandica and/or Quercus stellata, possibly with Pinus echinata, found in the southern Piedmont and possibly the adjacent upper Coastal Plain. These communities are physiognomically variable, being usually primarily deciduous, but ranging to mixed, depending on fire interval. Canopy and subcanopy associates, in addition to Pinus echinata, Quercus marilandica, and Quercus stellata, may include Carya glabra, Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, Quercus velutina, Sassafras albidum, and Ulmus alata. Shrubs may be sparse to dense, and species present may include Gaylussacia baccata, Rhododendron canescens, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium stamineum, Viburnum prunifolium, and Viburnum rafinesqueanum. The most common herbaceous species are Danthonia spicata and Schizachyrium scoparium. These forests typically occupy zones of dry-mesic habitat which is transitional between lower mesic communities and drier upper slopes and ridgetops. These post oak - blackjack oak woodlands are more edaphically extreme or frequently burned than related white oak-dominated forests.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is partly distinguished on biogeographic criteria. Examples are found in the southern Piedmont and are dominated by a combination of Quercus stellata and/or Quercus marilandica, which are characteristic, possibly with Pinus echinata.

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 communities are physiognomically variable, locally varying from deciduous to mixed oak-pine, often with substantial Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, especially as a result of fire suppression. With more frequent or intense fires, stands of this alliance would be expected to have relatively grassy, rather than shrubby, understories.

Floristics: This alliance includes open-canopy stands typically dominated by Quercus marilandica and/or Quercus stellata, possibly with Pinus echinata. Canopy and subcanopy associates may include Carya glabra, Cornus florida, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, Quercus velutina, and Sassafras albidum. In associations on mafic substrates, Carya carolinae-septentrionalis, Cercis canadensis, Fraxinus americana, and Ulmus alata are common. Shrubs may be sparse to dense, and species present may include Gaylussacia baccata, Rhododendron canescens, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium stamineum, Viburnum prunifolium, and Viburnum rafinesqueanum. The most common herbaceous species are Danthonia spicata and Schizachyrium scoparium. A rare type that occurs in North and South Carolina has an herbaceous layer containing many prairie species such as Andropogon gerardii, Coreopsis major, Liatris aspera, Silphium terebinthinaceum, Solidago nemoralis, and Sorghastrum nutans.

Dynamics:  Canopy closure is variable and dependent on disturbances such as fire and native grazing that played a role in historically maintaining an open structure in this vegetation. Under current conditions, stands may be more closed due to a lack of disturbance. Loss of these natural processes often results in a shift toward a more closed canopy, an increase in successional woody species such as Juniperus spp., and a decrease in native grass cover. Edaphic factors and variability in climate are also factors.
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the southern Piedmont of the United States from Georgia to Virginia, and possibly in Alabama.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.a White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Water Oak Forest Group G165 1.B.2.Na.1.a
Alliance A3294 Post Oak - Hickory species - Shortleaf Pine Piedmont Woodland Alliance A3294 1.B.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL003721 White Oak - Pignut Hickory / Little Bluestem - Nettleleaf Sage - Glade Wild Quinine Woodland CEGL003721 1.B.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL003722 White Oak - Post Oak / Little Bluestem - ticktrefoil spp. Woodland CEGL003722 1.B.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL004416 Chestnut Oak - Post Oak - Pignut Hickory / Farkleberry - Rusty Blackhaw Forest CEGL004416 1.B.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL004446 Shortleaf Pine - Blackjack Oak / Mountain Laurel - Horsesugar Woodland CEGL004446 1.B.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL007096 Shortleaf Pine - White Oak - Post Oak / Blue Ridge Blueberry Woodland CEGL007096 1.B.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL007773 White Oak - Post Oak - Southern Shagbark Hickory / Chalk Maple - Eastern Redbud Forest CEGL007773 1.B.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL008492 Shortleaf Pine - (Post Oak, Blackjack Oak) / Little Bluestem - Nettleleaf Sage Woodland CEGL008492 1.B.2.Na.1.a
Concept Lineage: The members of this alliance primarily come from A.625 (5/34), also A.241 (1/12), and A.613 (1/6).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< IA6c. Dry Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Forest (Allard 1990)
>< IA6i. Interior Upland Dry-Mesic Oak - Hickory Forest (Allard 1990)
>< White Oak - Black Oak - Northern Red Oak: 52 (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 Alan Weakley, Sally Landaal, Dorothy Allard, and Judy Teague.

Version Date: 01-08-14
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