Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
Colonial National Historical Park
alba (white oak), and Quercus velutina (black oak). Minor associates include Quercus coccinea
(scarlet oak), Acer rubrum (red maple), Carya spp. (hickories), and Liriodendron tulipifera
(tuliptree). Typical subcanopy trees include Sassafras albidum (sassafras), Acer rubrum (red
maple), Nyssa sylvatica (blackgum), Cornus florida (flowering dogwood), Amelanchier arborea
(common serviceberry), and Ilex opaca var. opaca (American holly), the latter frequently
dominating in Coastal Plain stands. An evergreen shrub layer with strong dominance by Kalmia
latifolia (mountain laurel) is characteristic, with low-cover associates of Rhododendron
periclymenoides (pink azalea), Vaccinium spp. (blueberries), and Gaylussacia baccata (black
huckleberry). Deciduous ericads alone are dominant in rare patches that lack Kalmia latifolia
(mountain laurel). On northern exposures, Fagus grandifolia (American beech) tends to strongly
dominate, and Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) may achieve >75% cover.
Most Abundant Species:
Stratum Lifeform Species
Tree canopy Broad-leaved deciduous tree Quercus velutina (black oak)
Tree subcanopy Broad-leaved deciduous tree Cornus florida (flowering dogwood)
Tall shrub/sapling Broad-leaved evergreen shrub Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel)
Characteristic Species: Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel), Quercus alba (white oak), Quercus
prinus (chestnut oak).
Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available.
USFWS Wetland System: Not applicable.
DISTRIBUTION
Range: This mixed forest of beech and oaks occurs on the inner Coastal Plain and outer
Piedmont from New Jersey to southern Virginia.
States/Provinces: DE, MD, NJ, VA.
Federal Lands: DOD (Fort Belvoir, Fort Dix, Kerr Reservoir); NPS (Colonial, Prince William,
Rock Creek); USFWS (Great Swamp).
CONSERVATION STATUS
Rank: GNR (7-Nov-2000).
Reasons: Information not available.
CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION
Status: Standard.
Confidence: 2 - Moderate.
Comments: A variant of this type was described by A. Windisch (OH1 or DOf1) at Fort Dix.
This association is similar to Quercus velutina - Quercus coccinea - Quercus prinus / Kalmia
latifolia Forest (CEGL006374), however, it lacks Fagus grandifolia (American beech),
Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree), or Carya spp. (hickories).
Similar Associations:
• Fagus grandifolia - Quercus alba / Kalmia latifolia - (Symplocos tinctoria, Rhododendron catawbiense) / Galax
urceolata Forest (CEGL004539).
•
Quercus velutina - Quercus coccinea - Quercus prinus / Kalmia latifolia Forest (CEGL006374).
Related Concepts:
• Beech - mixed oak forest (Windisch 1995) =
SOURCES
Description Authors: L. A. Sneddon, mod. G. P. Fleming.
References: Eastern Ecology Working Group n.d., Windisch 1995.
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