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Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

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<strong>USGS</strong>-NPS <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Mapping</strong> Program<br />

Colonial National Historical Park<br />

COMMON NAME (PARK-SPECIFIC): SUCCESSIONAL TREE-OF-HEAVEN FOREST<br />

SYNONYMS<br />

USNVC English Name: Tree-of-Heaven Forest<br />

USNVC Scientific Name: Ailanthus altissima Forest<br />

USNVC Identifier: CEGL007191<br />

LOCAL INFORMATION<br />

Environmental Description: These forests occur on rich substrates, in disturbed situations, on<br />

gently sloping upl<strong>and</strong>s.<br />

<strong>Vegetation</strong> Description: Successional Tree-of-Heaven Forest includes st<strong>and</strong>s dominated by the<br />

alien tree Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven). These forests occur on rich substrates, highly<br />

disturbed situations on slopes <strong>and</strong> in urban or developed areas. In Colonial National Historical<br />

Park, these st<strong>and</strong>s may have a mix of Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) with an herb layer dominated<br />

by Microstegium vimineum (Nepalese browntop).<br />

Most Abundant Species:<br />

Stratum Lifeform<br />

Species<br />

Tree canopy<br />

Broad-leaved deciduous tree<br />

Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven)<br />

Characteristic Species: Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven).<br />

Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available.<br />

Subnational Distribution with Crosswalk Data:<br />

State SRank Rel Conf SName<br />

Reference<br />

VA SNA . .<br />

[not crosswalked] .<br />

Local Range: Successional Tree-of-Heaven Forest is mapped as a single polygon in Yorktown<br />

Battlefield, just north of Wormley Pond. It covers 4.0 hectares (10.0 acres).<br />

<strong>Classification</strong> Comments: This mapping unit is distinguished by the dominance of Ailanthus<br />

altissima (tree of heaven).<br />

Other Comments: Information not available.<br />

Local Description Authors: K. D. Patterson.<br />

Plots: None.<br />

Colonial National Historical Park Inventory Notes: Information not available.<br />

GLOBAL INFORMATION<br />

USNVC CLASSIFICATION<br />

Physiognomic Class Forest (I)<br />

Physiognomic Subclass Deciduous forest (I.B.)<br />

Physiognomic Group Cold-deciduous forest (I.B.2.)<br />

Physiognomic Subgroup Natural/Semi-natural cold-deciduous forest (I.B.2.N.)<br />

Formation Lowl<strong>and</strong> or submontane cold-deciduous forest (I.B.2.N.a.)<br />

Alliance Ailanthus altissima Forest Alliance (A.221)<br />

Alliance (English name) Tree-of-Heaven Forest Alliance<br />

Association Ailanthus altissima Forest<br />

Association (English name) Tree-of-Heaven Forest<br />

Ecological System(s): Central Appalachian Alkaline Glade <strong>and</strong> Woodl<strong>and</strong> (CES202.602).<br />

183

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