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A3408 Quercus palustris - Quercus bicolor Floodplain Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These floodplain swamp forests are found along smaller rivers in southern New England and the northern Piedmont and are dominated by some combination of Acer rubrum, Carya cordiformis, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Nyssa sylvatica, Platanus occidentalis, Quercus bicolor, Quercus palustris, and Ulmus americana.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quercus palustris - Quercus bicolor Floodplain Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Central Appalachian-Northeast Pin Oak Floodplain Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This floodplain forest occurs along smaller rivers in southern New England and the northern Piedmont. The setting can range from high terraces to any broad flat area with diffuse or braided drainage. The canopies of examples in New England and the northern Piedmont contain Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Quercus palustris, and Ulmus americana, with Acer rubrum and occasionally with Quercus bicolor. In addition, Carya cordiformis, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus nigra, Nyssa sylvatica, and/or Platanus occidentalis may be present.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These are floodplain and swamp forests typically dominated by Quercus palustris and Quercus bicolor.

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: Stands are generally characterized by a closed to partially open canopy of wetland trees. The shrub layer is often poorly developed, and the herbaceous layer is variable in composition and usually dense.

Floristics: The canopies of examples in New England and the northern Piedmont contain Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Quercus palustris, and Ulmus americana, with Acer rubrum and occasionally with Quercus bicolor. In addition, Carya cordiformis, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus nigra, Nyssa sylvatica, and/or Platanus occidentalis may be present. Carpinus caroliniana may be present as a small tree. The shrub layer includes Cornus amomum, Cornus obliqua, Lindera benzoin, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis, and/or Viburnum recognitum. The herbaceous layer is variable in composition and usually dense. There may be abundant sedges, including Carex crinita, Carex grayi, Carex intumescens, Carex lupulina, Carex lurida, Carex prasina, or Carex rosea, with additional species such as Arisaema triphyllum, Athyrium filix-femina, Cinna arundinacea, Geum canadense, Impatiens spp., Iris versicolor, Leersia virginica, Onoclea sensibilis, Panax trifolius, Polygonum virginianum (= Tovara virginiana), Symplocarpus foetidus, Toxicodendron radicans, and Viola sororia.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  The environment of this forest type includes alluvial deposits in the floodplains and terraces of small rivers. Flooding occurs during local events, especially during winter months. These areas can be seasonally, temporarily or intermittently flooded, often with networks of small drainages and pools throughout. Many of these areas were previously used as pasture.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the northeastern U.S., in the northern Piedmont and southern New England, as well as in Quebec, Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  CT, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, QC, RI, VA, WV


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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation F026 1.B.3
Division 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division D011 1.B.3.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Na.1 Silver Maple - American Sycamore - Hackberry species Floodplain Forest Macrogroup M029 1.B.3.Na.1
Group 1.B.3.Na.1.b <i>Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua</i> Floodplain Forest Group G673 1.B.3.Na.1.b
Alliance A3408 <i>Quercus palustris - Quercus bicolor</i> Floodplain Forest Alliance A3408 1.B.3.Na.1.b
Association CEGL006185 Pin Oak - Red Maple / Gray''s Sedge - White Avens Wet Forest CEGL006185 1.B.3.Na.1.b
Association CEGL006386 Swamp White Oak - Red Maple / American Hornbeam Wet Forest CEGL006386 1.B.3.Na.1.b
Association CEGL006497 Pin Oak - Swamp White Oak / Blunt Broom Sedge - Eastern Star Sedge - (Squarrose Sedge) Wet Forest CEGL006497 1.B.3.Na.1.b
Association CEGL007399 Pin Oak - (Black Ash) / Northern Spicebush / Bromelike Sedge Wet Forest CEGL007399 1.B.3.Na.1.b
Concept Lineage: This new alliance contains one association each from A.301, A.329, and A.3004.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< perched swamp white oak swamp (Reschke 1990)
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: S. Menard and M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated information compiled by D.J. Allard and D. Faber-Langendoen.

Version Date: 12-20-18
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  • 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.
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