Ohio subset of Plant Communities of the Midwest ... - NatureServe

Forests and Woodlands: Appalachian Highlands Dry-mesic Oak Forests and Woodlands
Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum - Liriodendron tulipifera Forest
Northern Red Oak - Sugar Maple - Tuliptree Forest
High Allegheny Rich Red Oak - Sugar Maple Forest
CEGL006125
DESCRIPTION: Stands of this red oak - sugar maple forest contain a closed-canopy tree layer. Acer saccharum,
Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus alba, and Quercus rubra are the leading dominants. Acer rubrum, Carya ovata,
Carya alba (= Carya tomentosa), Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus coccinea, Quercus prinus, and Quercus velutina are
possible associates. Liriodendron dominance may indicate a past disturbance history, and Carya spp. may share
dominance in some stands. There is evidence (Fleming 1999) that Castanea dentata may have been important in
these stands prior to its demise. A wide variety of more mesic associates, such as Betula alleghaniensis, Betula
lenta, Fagus grandifolia, and Fraxinus americana, could occur but are negligible in dominance. In addition to Acer
saccharum reproduction, some understory species may include Carpinus caroliniana, Cercis canadensis, and Ostrya
virginiana. Shrub and vine species include Amelanchier laevis, Amelanchier arborea, Cornus spp., Hamamelis
virginiana, Lindera benzoin, Viburnum acerifolium, Viburnum recognitum, and Vitis riparia. Ericaceous shrubs, such
as Kalmia latifolia, Vaccinium angustifolium and Vaccinium pallidum, may also be present. The ground layer species
are highly variable but include Caulophyllum thalictroides, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Podophyllum peltatum,
Maianthemum racemosum (= Smilacina racemosa), Medeola virginiana, Thelypteris noveboracensis, and Uvularia
sessilifolia. Some additional herbs which are constant or abundant in Virginia stands include Ageratina altissima,
Bromus pubescens, Actaea racemosa (= Cimicifuga racemosa), Galium circaezans, Galium triflorum, and
Polystichum acrostichoides. (Anderson 1982, Reschke 1990, Fike 1999, Fleming 1999).
Stands are typically found in coves, on moist north- and east-facing slopes, and on well-drained flats. Soils are
slightly acid and of intermediate fertility (Anderson 1982, Reschke 1990, Fike 1999).
COMMENTS: 2, ECS. Possible differential species include Liriodendron tulipifera and Magnolia tripetala, though the
latter species would restrict the type's concept. Fleming (1999) notes that (in Virginia examples) Liriodendron is
"inconstant in mature stands, absent above 975 meters (3200 feet), and dominant only in heavily disturbed,
successional stands. According to Anderson (1982) in Ohio, where this community is found in the southeastern
unglaciated plateau region, it is differentiated from the oak-maple type, Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Quercus
prinus - Acer saccharum / Lindera benzoin Forest (CEGL002059), and the Appalachian oak forest type, Quercus
prinus - Quercus (alba, coccinea, velutina) / Viburnum acerifolium - (Kalmia latifolia) Forest (CEGL005023), by the
substantial presence (over 20% canopy or basal area) of Liriodendron tulipifera and insignificant amounts of Fagus
grandifolia or other mesic tree species. This type concept may overlap considerably with that of the oak-maple type,
Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Quercus prinus - Acer saccharum / Lindera benzoin Forest (CEGL002059). Braun
(1950, e.g., p. 140) reports stands similar to this type in the Shawnee Hills and Mammoth Cave area of Kentucky, as
well as other Interior Low Plateau sites. In New York, this type is reported primarily from the southeastern part of the
State (Reschke 1990).
CONSERVATION RANK: G. Fleming (1999) cites G4G5 for an equivalent type in Virginia, with a Srank of S4.
DISTRIBUTION: This red oak - sugar maple community is found primarily in the Allegheny Plateau and Appalachian
Mountain regions of the United States, with possible extensions east and west of those areas, ranging from
southeastern New York and New Jersey, south to Virginia and west to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and southeast
Ohio.
USFS ECOREGIONS: 212F:CC, 212G:CC, 221D:CC, 221Ea:CCC, 221Ec:CCC, 221Ed:CCC, 221Ee:CCP, 221Ef:CCC, 221F:CC,
221He:CCC, M221Aa:CCC, M221Ab:CCC, M221Ac:CCC, M221Ad:CCC, M221Ba:CCC, M221Bb:CCC, M221Bc:CCC,
M221Bd:CC, M221Be:CC, M221Bf:CCC, M221C:C, M221Da:CCP
CONSERVATION REGIONS: 48:C, 49:C, 50:C, 59:C, 61:C
STATES: NJ NY OH PA VA WV PROVINCES:
MIDWEST HERITAGE SYNONYMY: OH oak-maple forest +
OTHER SYNONYMY: Acer saccharum var. saccharum - Quercus rubra - Carya (glabra, ovata) / Ageratina altissima
Forest (3.3) (Fleming 1999), Dry-mesic Calcareous Forest (Fleming 1999), Oak-maple-beech-tuliptree mesic forests
(matrix) (CAP)
USNVC HIERARCHY: QUERCUS RUBRA - (ACER SACCHARUM) FOREST ALLIANCE (I.B.2.N.a)
PLANT COMMUNITIES OF THE MIDWEST – 2001. APPENDIX: ASSOCIATION DESCRIPTIONS
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