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A4127 Pinus strobus - Pinus resinosa - Quercus rubra Forest & Woodland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance contains pine-dominated and mixed pine - oak forests and woodlands found in the upper Midwest and New England of the United States, and in eastern temperate Canada on mostly mesic and dry-mesic sites within glaciated landscapes.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eastern White Pine - Red Pine - Northern Red Oak Forest & Woodland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Laurentian White Pine - Red Pine - Oak Forest & Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance contains pine-dominated and mixed pine-oak forests and woodlands found in the upper Midwest and New England of the United States, and in eastern temperate Canada. Most examples are dominated by Pinus strobus or Pinus resinosa. Hardwood species such as Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, or Populus tremuloides are common associates and may be locally dominant in some areas. The shrub and understory layers vary from sparse to moderately dense. Some typical shrubs include Acer spicatum, Cornus spp., Corylus cornuta, Kalmia latifolia, and Vaccinium spp. Common herbaceous species include Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla, Gaultheria procumbens, and Maianthemum canadense. Stands typically occur on mostly mesic and dry-mesic sites within glaciated landscapes. Soils are typically acidic and range from shallow to moderately deep. Fire and logging can heavily impact examples of this alliance.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands are typically dominated Pinus strobus or Pinus resinosa or mixed with hardwoods such as Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, and/or Populus tremuloides.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Some of the associations contained within this alliance may need to be revisited when more data are available to address the separation between sub-boreal and more temperate forests in the northern midwestern United States and eastern temperate Canada. Oak-dominated stands are included within this alliance, but further review is needed to determine if they need to be in an independent alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees which form a moderately closed to closed canopy.

Floristics: Most stands of this alliance are dominated by Pinus strobus or Pinus resinosa. Hardwood species such as Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, or Populus tremuloides are common associates and may be locally dominant in some areas. Other associated canopy species include Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, Betula papyrifera, Carya ovata, Pinus banksiana, Populus grandidentata, Quercus ellipsoidalis, Quercus velutina, and Thuja occidentalis. The shrub layer ranges from moderately rich to extremely poor. Some common shrub species include Acer spicatum, Amelanchier spp., Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Gaylussacia spp., Linnaea borealis, Rubus spp., and Vaccinium spp., especially Vaccinium myrtilloides and Vaccinium angustifolium. The herb stratum is sparse to moderate, but can be quite species-rich. Some common species include Aralia nudicaulis, Anemone quinquefolia, Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Galium triflorum, Gaultheria procumbens, Maianthemum canadense, Pteridium aquilinum, Streptopus lanceolatus, and Thalictrum dioicum.

Dynamics:  Stands of this alliance are impacted by fire and logging practices.
Environmental Description:  Stands of this alliance are found on acidic, relatively nutrient-poor loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, and clay loam soils which are typically somewhat shallow to moderately deep. Stands occur on a variety of topographic positions, in particular glacial till or outwash plains. They can occur on hummocky terrain or, in northeastern Minnesota, near lakes and on lower slopes.
Geographic Range: These forests are found within the Great Lakes region of the Midwest, New England and eastern temperate Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  ME, MI, MN, NB, NH, NS?, NY, ON, QC, VT, WI


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.6 Eastern White Pine - Jack Pine - Northern Pin Oak Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M159 1.B.2.Na.6
Group 1.B.2.Na.6.f <i>Pinus resinosa - Pinus banksiana - Quercus rubra</i> Forest & Woodland Group G907 1.B.2.Na.6.f
Alliance A4127 Eastern White Pine - Red Pine - Northern Red Oak Forest & Woodland Alliance A4127 1.B.2.Na.6.f
Association CEGL002462 Northern Red Oak - White Oak - (Black Oak, Red Maple) / Mapleleaf Viburnum Forest CEGL002462 1.B.2.Na.6.f
Association CEGL002480 Eastern White Pine - (Red Pine) - Northern Red Oak Forest CEGL002480 1.B.2.Na.6.f
Association CEGL002481 Eastern White Pine - White Oak / (American Hazelnut, Black Huckleberry) Forest CEGL002481 1.B.2.Na.6.f
Association CEGL005399 Red Pine - White Pine - (Red Oak) / Beaked Hazelnut Forest CEGL005399 1.B.2.Na.6.f
Association CEGL005563 Eastern White Pine - Quaking Aspen - (Red Maple) / Western Brackenfern Forest CEGL005563 1.B.2.Na.6.f
Concept Lineage: Mesic and dry-mesic pine-oak forests in the Laurentian region of the Great Lakes and New England. It contains associations with similar dominants and diagnostics but combines Pinus strobus and Pinus resinosa associations that were previously separated. This is based on comments by Heritage and other experts that suggest that these forests and woodlands should be separated at the association but not the alliance level. Component associations come from old alliances A.126, A.128, A.400, A.401, A.3506.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): S. Menard and D. Faber-Langendoen, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2014)

Author of Description: S. Menard

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.