Print Report

CEGL006631 Acer saccharum - Betula alleghaniensis - Fagus grandifolia / Viburnum lantanoides Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sugar Maple - Yellow Birch - American Beech / Hobblebush Forest

Colloquial Name: Northern Hardwood Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association, known commonly as "northern hardwood forest," is a widespread matrix forest in central New England and at lower elevations in northern New England, and the montane regions of New York. This forest occurs most commonly on acidic (pH 5-6), moderate to well-drained tills at elevations generally below 762 m (2500 feet). In northern New England, they cover extensive mid-elevation ridges; elsewhere, slope settings are common. The closed-canopy forest has sparse to moderate shrub and herb cover and may have local carpets of tree seedlings in the ground vegetation. Bryoids are a minor component of the forest floor. The closed-canopy forest has sparse to moderate shrub and herb cover and may have local carpets of tree seedlings in the ground vegetation. Bryoids are a minor component of the forest floor. On some rocky, higher-elevation sites, dense ferns and other herbs may form a lush understory (the "fern-glade variant"). The canopy is dominated by Acer saccharum mixed with variable amounts of Fagus grandifolia and/or Betula alleghaniensis. Associated hardwood species include Acer rubrum, Betula papyrifera, and Fraxinus americana. At the southern end of this type''s range, especially in mid-successional stands, Betula lenta may be present. Conifers are usually present at low abundance. Characteristic species include Pinus strobus, Tsuga canadensis, and Picea rubens. Oaks are generally not present, although Quercus rubra is sometimes present in low numbers. The shrub layer is often dominated by saplings of canopy tree species Characteristic understory shrubs or small trees include Acer pensylvanicum, Ostrya virginiana, Viburnum lantanoides, and Acer spicatum. The patchy herbaceous layer is a mix of ferns, rhizomatous herbs and clubmosses. Characteristic species include Dryopteris intermedia, Dryopteris carthusiana, Polystichum acrostichoides, Huperzia lucidula, Maianthemum canadense, Clintonia borealis, Trientalis borealis, Oclemena acuminata, and Uvularia sessilifolia. Occasional species include Aralia nudicaulis, Trillium erectum, Trillium undulatum, Dryopteris campyloptera, Streptopus lanceolatus, Cinna latifolia, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Mitchella repens, Solidago macrophylla, and Medeola virginiana. The bryophyte layer may include Dicranum spp. and Leucobryum glaucum. Sugar maple leaf litter is high in nitrogen relative to lignin and thus decomposes rapidly, increasing the nutrient pool in the soil organic layer. Structure and composition of the forest are maintained primarily by single small tree-fall gaps. Yellow birch is maintained in the system by mineral soils on "tip-up mounds."

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type is separated from ~Acer saccharum - Fagus grandifolia - Fraxinus americana / Arisaema triphyllum Forest (CEGL006632)$$ by the stronger dominance and more consistent presence of Betula alleghaniensis, and the occasional presence of Picea rubens and Abies balsamea. Distinctions in shrub and ground layer species needs further review.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The closed-canopy forest has sparse to moderate shrub and herb cover and may have local carpets of tree seedlings in the ground vegetation. Bryoids are a minor component of the forest floor. On some rocky, higher-elevation sites, dense ferns and other herbs may form a lush understory (the "fern-glade variant"). The canopy is dominated by Acer saccharum mixed with variable amounts of Fagus grandifolia and/or Betula alleghaniensis. Associated hardwood species include Acer rubrum, Betula papyrifera, and Fraxinus americana. Conifers are usually present at low abundance. Characteristic species include Pinus strobus, Tsuga canadensis, and Picea rubens. Oaks are generally not present, although Quercus rubra is sometimes present in low numbers. The shrub layer is often dominated by saplings of canopy tree species. Characteristic understory shrubs or small trees include Acer pensylvanicum, Ostrya virginiana, Viburnum lantanoides, and Acer spicatum. The patchy herbaceous layer is a mix of ferns, rhizomatous herbs and clubmosses. Characteristic species include Dryopteris intermedia, Dryopteris carthusiana, Polystichum acrostichoides, Huperzia lucidula, Maianthemum canadense, Clintonia borealis, Trientalis borealis, Oclemena acuminata (= Aster acuminatus), and Uvularia sessilifolia. Occasional species include Aralia nudicaulis, Trillium erectum, Trillium undulatum, Dryopteris campyloptera, Streptopus lanceolatus var. lanceolatus (= Streptopus roseus), Cinna latifolia, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Mitchella repens, Solidago macrophylla, and Medeola virginiana. The bryophyte layer may include Dicranum spp. and Leucobryum glaucum. At higher elevations any of the understory herbs characteristic of montane spruce-fir forests may be locally abundant.

Dynamics:  Sugar maple leaf litter is high in nitrogen relative to lignin and thus decomposes rapidly, increasing the nutrient pool in the soil organic layer. Structure and composition of the forest are maintained primarily by single small tree-fall gaps. Yellow birch is maintained in the system by mineral soils on "tip up mounds."
Environmental Description:  This association, known commonly as "northern hardwood forest," is a widespread matrix forest in central New England, lower elevations in northern New England and montane regions of New York. This forest occurs most commonly on acidic (pH 5-6), moderate to well-drained tills at elevations generally below 760 m (2500 feet). In northern New England, they cover extensive mid-elevation ridges; elsewhere, slope settings are common.
Geographic Range: This association is a widespread matrix forest from southern Quebec and the Maritime Provinces of Canada south through northern and central New England and montane regions of New York.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  CT?, MA, ME, NB, NH, NY, QC?, VT


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5

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.7 Sugar Maple - Yellow Birch - Eastern Hemlock Forest Macrogroup M014 1.B.2.Na.7
Group 1.B.2.Na.7.I <i>Acer saccharum - Fagus grandifolia - Acer pensylvanicum</i> Forest Group G922 1.B.2.Na.7.I
Alliance A4447 Sugar Maple - Yellow Birch / Hobblebush Forest Alliance A4447 1.B.2.Na.7.I
Association CEGL006631 Sugar Maple - Yellow Birch - American Beech / Hobblebush Forest CEGL006631 1.B.2.Na.7.I
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Beech - Sugar Maple: 60 (Eyre 1980)
? CNE dry transitional forest on sandy / gravelly soils (Rawinski 1984a)
< CNE mesic conifer [transition] forest on acidic bedrock/till (Rawinski 1984a)
< Northern Hardwood Forest (Bormann et al. 1970) [This association is at the lower to mid elevations, grading to CEGL006267 at the higher.]
= Northern Hardwoods without Hemlock (Niering 1953)
? Northern hardwood forest: boreal/montane type (NAP pers. comm. 1998)
< Sugar Maple - Beech - Yellow Birch: 25 (Eyre 1980)
< Sugar Maple: 27 (Eyre 1980)
Concept Author(s): Northern Appalachian Planning Team and L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.C. Gawler and D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-02-14
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