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A4183 Acer negundo - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Populus tremuloides Ruderal Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This forest alliance occurs in the north-central part of the United States where upland forests are strongly dominated by early-successional trees, particularly Acer negundo, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Populus tremuloides with an understory characterized by exotic or weedy native species.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Box-elder - Green Ash - Quaking Aspen Ruderal Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Box-elder - Green Ash - Quaking Aspen Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This upland forest alliance is found in the north-central United States. The moderately open to closed tree canopy is dominated by early-successional native trees, particularly Acer negundo, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Populus tremuloides. Prunus serotina can be common and many other native or exotic species can be present at lower levels, including planted conifers in some stands.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Dry-mesic to sometimes wet-mesic habitat with >80% early-successional or exotic trees. Acer negundo, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Populus tremuloides are typically most common.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The canopy dominants in this alliance can be similar to those in natural wetland alliances, especially ~Acer rubrum - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Floodplain Forest Alliance (A3708)$$ and these two alliances can grade into each other on a transition from a less-disturbed floodplain to a disturbed upland.

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

Floristics: This moderately open to closed forest has a short to medium-tall canopy (7-20 m). Dominant species include Acer negundo, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Populus tremuloides. Other common canopy associates are Celtis occidentalis, Juniperus virginiana, Prunus serotina, and Tilia americana and sometimes planted conifers. The shrub stratum is absent to dense and can have a variety of shrub species, often including exotic Lonicera spp., Rhamnus cathartica, and Zanthoxylum americanum, along with native species such as Rubus spp. and Ribes spp. The herbaceous stratum is typically open and species-poor where the tree and shrub canopies are dense but can be robust where the woody canopies are more open.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This alliance can occur in a variety of upland settings that have been extensively disturbed. It has been found on steep river valley slopes and flat to gently sloping uplands. Soils are usually fine- to medium-textured.
Geographic Range: This alliance is described from data from east-central Minnesota but it is certainly widespread throughout the north-central United States.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  MN


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

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.90 Black Locust - Tuliptree - Norway Maple Ruderal Forest Macrogroup M013 1.B.2.Na.90
Group 1.B.2.Na.90.a Eastern Red-cedar - Tuliptree / Tatarian Honeysuckle Ruderal Forest Group G030 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Alliance A4183 Box-elder - Green Ash - Quaking Aspen Ruderal Forest Alliance A4183 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005454 Quaking Aspen / Common Buckthorn Ruderal Forest CEGL005454 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005455 Eastern Cottonwood / Smooth Brome Ruderal Forest CEGL005455 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005456 Green Ash - Eastern Red-cedar - Pine species - Box-elder Ruderal Forest CEGL005456 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005462 Box-elder - Common Hackberry - Green Ash Ruderal Forest CEGL005462 1.B.2.Na.90.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): J. Drake, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2015)

Author of Description: J. Drake

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-02-15
  • 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.