The Central and southern Appalachian montane oak forest is a forest system found in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
These forests occur on exposed sites such as ridgecrests and south- to west-facing slopes, typically from about 3,000 to 4,500 feet (910 to 1,370 m) elevation, but sometimes extending to 5,500 feet (1,700 m). Soils are thin, weathered, nutrient-poor, low in organic matter, and acidic. Trees are often stunted and wind-flagged.
Flora
The Central and southern Appalachian montane oak forest commonly includes: the Northern red oak ( Quercus rubra) and white oak ( Quercus alba), and sprouts of American chestnut ( Castanea dentata).
Common shrubs include: Winterberry ( Ilex montana), flame azalea ( Rhododendron calendulaceum), catawba rhododendron ( Rhododendron catawbiense), and great rhododendron ( Rhododendron maximum). [1] [2] [3] [4]
See also
References
- ^ "Central and Southern Appalachian Montane Oak Forest". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
- ^ "Natural Communities of Virginia - Terrestrial System - Low-Elevation Dry and Dry - Mesic Forests and Woodlands: Montane Mixed Oak and Oak - Hickory Forests". Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Archived from the original on 1 May 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- ^ George Washington National Forest 1993 Revised Forest Plan. United States Forest Service. 1993.
- ^ Jefferson National Forest 2004 Revised Forest Plan. United States Forest Service. 2004.
- Flora of the Appalachian Mountains
- Forests of the United States
- Plant communities of West Virginia
- Plant communities of Virginia
- Plant communities of Kentucky
- Plant communities of Tennessee
- Plant communities of North Carolina
- Plant communities of South Carolina
- Plant communities of Georgia (U.S. state)
- Natural history of the Great Smoky Mountains
- Appalachian forests