Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
Colonial National Historical Park
Local Range: Successional Tuliptree - Loblolly Pine Forest covers the greatest area of any map
class in Colonial National Historical Park. It is found in all areas of the park, covering a total of
1250 hectares (3090 acres).
Classification Comments: Some stands of Successional Tuliptree - Loblolly Pine Forest may
be similar to Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, but can be distinguished by the lack of dominant
canopy oaks or Fagus grandifolia (American beech) and the overall more "weedy" successional
structure and composition. Stands of Successional Tuliptree - Loblolly Pine Forest tend to be
even-aged, whereas Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest has mixed age class stands. Additionally,
Successional Tuliptree - Loblolly Pine Forest tends to occur on disturbed flats and gentle slopes.
In general, Coastal Plain Loblolly Pine - Oak Forest has greater coverage of oak species and
coastal shrubs such as Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) and Persea palustris (swamp bay), and
lacks Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree). It is also found in a different landscape context than
Successional Tuliptree - Loblolly Pine Forest, on low lying areas or sandy interfluves,
surrounded by tidal wetlands.
Other Comments: Information not available.
Local Description Authors: K. D. Patterson.
Plots: None.
Colonial National Historical Park Inventory Notes: Information not available.
GLOBAL INFORMATION
USNVC CLASSIFICATION
Physiognomic Class Forest (I)
Physiognomic Subclass Deciduous forest (I.B.)
Physiognomic Group Cold-deciduous forest (I.B.2.)
Physiognomic Subgroup Natural/Semi-natural cold-deciduous forest (I.B.2.N.)
Formation Lowland or submontane cold-deciduous forest (I.B.2.N.a.)
Alliance Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance (A.236)
Alliance (English name) Tuliptree Forest Alliance
Association Liriodendron tulipifera - Pinus taeda Forest
Association (English name) Tuliptree - Loblolly Pine Forest
Ecological System(s): Information not available.
GLOBAL DESCRIPTION
Concept Summary: The initial USNVC description of this semi-natural tuliptree - loblolly
pine forest was based on sites in the Piedmont of South Carolina, but it has since been
documented in Virginia and Alabama, and is almost certainly present in other parts of the
Piedmont. The vegetation develops on slopes following cropping. This forest is strongly
dominated by Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree) and Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) which together
contribute more than 75% canopy cover. Other canopy species include Liquidambar styraciflua
(sweetgum) and Acer rubrum (red maple). Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) sometimes
occurs in the subcanopy, and vines such as Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle), Smilax
rotundifolia (roundleaf greenbrier) and Toxicodendron radicans (eastern poison ivy) may be
abundant. The understory and ground layers are very sparse with much open ground present.
Microstegium vimineum (Nepalese browntop) may dominated in the herbaceous layer.
Environmental Description: This successional forest community develops on slopes following
cropping. The specific documented occurrences on the Sumter National Forest, South Carolina,
have developed on former cotton fields of lower to midslopes, where soils usually have 60-70%
sand.
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