Sumter National Forest Final Report - NatureServe

Liriodendron tulipifera, although other species may also be present. Robinia pseudoacacia is listed as a nominal to indicate theAppalachian distribution of this type. Associated species may vary. Tall shrubs (Rhododendron periclymenoides, Rhododendroncalendulaceum, Kalmia latifolia, Calycanthus floridus) sprout from root stocks and occur as scattered, dense clumps, while shortershrubs (Gaylussacia ursina, Leucothoe fontanesiana, Rubus spp., Vaccinium spp.) can have dense, continuous cover. Composition ofthe herbaceous stratum varies with site conditions and moisture regime and may contain field-adapted species, tolerant of high lightintensities, as well as many shade-tolerant forest herbs. Lycopodium digitatum may also form dense cover.Environment: This community occurs on gentle to moderately steep, middle to upper slopes at approximately 700-1220 m (2300-4000 feet) elevation. Important environmental factors, such as solar irradiation, soil moisture/temperature, and air temperature, varywithin and between sites and are related to the size of the opening, age of the stand, and slope direction (Phillips and Shure 1990).Soils are primarily Hapludults and Dystrochrepts. This successional forest occurs on upland areas in the southern AppalachianMountains and Appalachian Plateaus. It typically occurs as 8- to 16-ha patches in the landscape. These forests are typical of areaswhich were once clearcut, old fields, strip-mined, or cleared by fire or other natural disturbances.Vegetation: Stands of this successional vegetation have canopies which are typically dominated by Liriodendron tulipifera and Acerrubrum, with lesser amounts of Robinia pseudoacacia. Some examples may contain Pinus virginiana. Associated species vary. Therelative absence of Quercus species in these stands indicates more severe disturbance to this type in contrast to Liriodendrontulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest (CEGL007221). Taller shrubs include Rhododendron periclymenoides, Rhododendroncalendulaceum, Kalmia latifolia, and Calycanthus floridus; shorter shrubs include Gaylussacia ursina, Leucothoe fontanesiana,Rubus spp., and Vaccinium spp. Composition of the herbaceous stratum varies with site conditions and moisture regime and maycontain field-adapted species which are tolerant of high light intensities, as well as many shade-tolerant forest herbs. Lycopodiumdigitatum may also form dense cover.This mainly deciduous forest has a canopy dominated by Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer rubrum, and Robinia pseudoacacia and maycontain lesser amounts of Betula lenta, Cornus florida, Nyssa sylvatica, and Magnolia fraseri. Most of the regeneration is from stumpand root sprouts, however, Liriodendron tulipifera establishment is primarily from seedlings. The upper canopy ranges from 5-9 m,but most of the regeneration is in a shrub/sapling layer at 1-3 m. Cover of woody species may be patchy to dense and is characterizedby clumps of Robinia pseudoacacia and Acer rubrum, occurring as stump sprouts. Scattered thickets of evergreen ericads(Rhododendron and Kalmia) are also typical. Other species occurring as shrubs/saplings include Calycanthus floridus, Halesiacarolina, Pinus strobus, Castanea dentata, Prunus serotina, Pyrularia pubera, Sassafras albidum, Castanea pumila, Hydrangeaarborescens, Viburnum acerifolium, Gaylussacia ursina, Rubus spp., and Vaccinium ssp. Short shrubs (