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Home , Acer rubrum, Betula lenta, Birch, Carya tomentosa, Cercis canadensis, Gaultheria procumbens

Terrestrial

CONIFEROUS TERRESTRIAL FORESTS invasive in these systems. The layer is often dominated by an impenetrable tangle of rotundifolia (greenbrier) and S. glauca (catbrier). Q. Hemlock (white ) prinoides (chinquapin ) occurs in the understory canadensis (eastern hemlock), and in openings; (scrub oak) is also (eastern white pine), or more often a combination of present in openings. Low shrub include the two dominates these forests. cover (lowbush ), V. stamineum generally exceeds 75% of the canopy. Associate species (deerberry), and Gaylussacia baccata (black include a variety of northern and . huckleberry). Herbaceous species include Typical representatives include (sweet Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern), Aralia nudicaulis ), . alleghaniensis ( birch), Acer (wild sarsaparilla), and a variety of graminoids. saccharum (sugar ), A. rubrum ( maple), (red oak), Q. velutina (black oak), Related types: The "Serpentine pine - oak (American ), and forest" type also occurs on serpentinite-derived tulipifera (tuliptree). Representative include and shares many species with this type. The Virginia (rosebay), Viburnum pine type is dominated by a mixture of Pinus virginiana lantanoides (witch-hobble), V. acerifolium (maple- and various oaks. P. virginiana produces denser shade leaved viburnum), and (witch- and thicker litter than does P. rigida. Herbaceous and ). Typical herbs and creeping shrubs include shrub growth under P. virginiana is generally sparse. Maianthemum canadense ( mayflower), The fire of the two species is also vastly repens (partridge-), Lycopodium spp. different. For a more detailed explanation of the (ground pine), procumbens (teaberry), ecology of serpentine barrens, see the description of Thelypteris noveboracensis ( fern), Medeola the "Serpentine barrens complex." virginiana (Indian cucumber ), and Polystichum acrostichoides ( fern). Range: Piedmont.

Related types: If the conifer component is less than Selected references: Latham 1992, Roger 75% relative cover, see the mixed conifer broadleaf Latham-personal communication, PNDI field terrestrial forest . surveys.

Range: Glaciated NE, Glaciated NW, Pocono [Crosswalk: Smith's "Eastern Serpentine Barren" (in Plateau, Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. part), TNC's - Forest Alliance, SAF's pine (45).] Selected references: Braun 1950, Nichols 1935. Serpentine Virginia pine - oak forest [Crosswalk: Smith's "Northern Conifer Forest," This community type is part of the "Serpentine barrens TNC's - Pinus strobus Forest complex." It occurs in areas underlain by serpentine Alliance, SAF's White pine-hemlock (22) and bedrock, where development has proceeded far Eastern hemlock (23).] enough to support forest vegetation, but not so far as to override the influence of serpentine chemistry on species composition. Characteristic overstory species CONIFER – BROADLEAF include (post oak), Q. marilandica TERRESTRIAL FORESTS (blackjack oak), Pinus virginiana (Virginia pine), albidum (sassafras), serotina (wild black cherry), (red-cedar), Nyssa Serpentine pitch pine - oak forest sylvatica (black-gum), Robinia pseudoacacia (black This community type is part of the "Serpentine barrens locust), and (red maple). The shrub layer complex." It occurs in areas underlain by serpentine may be quite sparse under the dense shade and heavy bedrock where soil development has proceeded far litter of Pinus virginiana (Virginia pine). Where the enough to support forest vegetation, but not so far as canopy is more open there may be an impenetrable to override the influence of serpentine chemistry on tangle of Smilax rotundifolia (greenbrier) and S. species composition. Fire is an important factor in the glauca (catbrier). Other shrub species include establishment and persistence of pitch pine. In the Vaccinium pallidum (lowbush blueberry), V. stamineum absence of fire, pine is likely to decrease in favor of (deerberry), and Gaylussacia baccata (black huckle- species. Characteristic overstory species berry). Q. prinoides (chinquapin oak) may be present include Quercus stellata (post oak), Q. marilandica in the understory or in openings. Q. ilicifolia (scrub (blackjack oak), Pinus rigida (pitch pine), Sassafras oak) may also occur in openings. Herbaceous cover is albidum (sassafras), Juniperus virginiana (red-cedar), also low; species include Pteridium aquilinum (black-gum), (bracken fern) and Aralia nudicaulis (wild grandidentata (large-toothed ), and sarsaparilla). Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust)—which is generally

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Related types: The "Serpentine pitch pine - oak Related types: The "Dry oak - heath forest" is distin- forest" type also occurs on serpentinite-derived soils guished from this type in that it has less than 25% and shares many species with this community. The relative cover by . The "Pitch pine-mixed pitch pine community is dominated by a mixture of hardwood woodland" has an open canopy, the Pinus rigida and various oaks. P. virginiana woodland type may occur up-slope adjacent to this produces denser shade and thicker litter than community. does P. rigida. Herbaceous and shrub growth under P. virginiana is generally sparse. The fire ecology of the The "Serpentine pitch pine - oak forest" differs from two species is also vastly different. For a more detailed this community in ecology and species composition. explanation of the ecology of serpentine barrens, see The serpentine type occurs only on serpentinite- the description of the "Serpentine barrens complex." derived soils. Q. stellata (post oak) and Q. marilandica (blackjack oak), which are not characteristic of the Range: Piedmont. more common type, are found in the serpentine forest type. The understory of the serpentine type is generally Selected references: Latham 1992, Roger dominated by Smilax rotundifolia (greenbrier) and/or S. Latham-personal communication, PNDI field glauca (catbrier). For a more detailed explanation of surveys. the ecology of serpentine barrens, see the description of the "Serpentine barrens complex." [Crosswalk: Smith's "Eastern Serpentine Barren" (in part), TNC Pinus virginiana - Quercus (alba, stellata, Range: Glaciated NE, Piedmont, Pittsburgh falcata, velutina) Forest Alliance, Pinus (echinata, Plateau, Pocono Plateau, Ridge and Valley, South taeda, virginiana) Forest Alliance, Pinus virginiana / Mountain. Community, SAF's Virginia pine (79).] Selected references: Hunter and Swisher 1983, Illick and Aughanbaugh 1930, Reschke 1990. Pitch pine - mixed oak forest This community type generally occurs on acidic, sandy [Crosswalk: Smith's "Xeric Central Hardwood - soils, often on ridgetops and dry southern exposures. Conifer Forest," TNC's Pinus (rigida, echinata) - Fire is an important factor in the establishment and Quercus Forest Alliance, SAF's Pitch pine (45).] persistence of pitch pine. In the absence of fire, pitch pine is likely to decrease in favor of hardwood species. Pinus rigida (pitch pine), sometimes with a mixture of Virginia pine - mixed hardwood forest other , e.g. P. strobus (eastern white pine), P. This community type most often occurs as a post- pungens (table-mountain pine), P. virginiana (Virginia agricultural forest type on sand or silt loams, in the pine), and less often P. echinata (short- pine) southeastern portion of the state. It may also occur on or P. resinosa (red pine), contribute over 25% of the cleared and/or burned-over areas. Pinus overstory. Hardwood associates may include any of the virginiana (Virginia pine), sometimes with a mixture dry-site oaks including Quercus ( of other pines, e.g. P. strobus (eastern white pine), P. oak), Q. coccinea (scarlet oak), Q. velutina (black oak), rigida (pitch pine), P. pungens (Table-Mountain pine), and Q. alba (white oak). Other species include and less often P. echinata (short-leaf pine) or P. Nyssa sylvatica (black-gum), Acer rubrum (red maple), resinosa (red pine) contribute at least 25% of the Betula lenta (sweet birch), and (pignut overstory. Although this is typically a mixed type, ). Quercus ilicifolia (scrub oak) may occur in some areas may be strongly dominated by pine. more open areas; other shrubs include Smilax spp. Hardwood associates vary; common species (greenbrier), (mountain laurel), include Quercus rubra (red oak), Q. velutina (black Gaylussacia baccata (black huckleberry), oak), Q. coccinea (scarlet oak), Q. alba (white oak), Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper), and (wild black cherry), Acer rubrum (red Vaccinium angustifolium (pallidum, stamineum) maple), Betula lenta (sweet birch), Carya spp. (low-bush ). The forest type sometimes (hickory), (sassafras), and grades into an open-canopy type, or contains gaps americana (white ash). Shrubs include Smilax spp. with an open canopy. The herbaceous layer is sparse, (greenbrier), Juniperus virginiana (red-cedar), Rhus often with Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern), Aralia copallina (shining ), Rubus allegheniensis nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla), (Allegheny blackberry), radicans (teaberry), Cypripedium acaule (pink lady's-slipper), (poison-ivy), and Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia and various graminoids, including Danthonia creeper). Due to the thick litter, the herbaceous layer spicata (poverty grass), Deschampsia flexuosa is usually sparse, often with Chimaphila maculata (common hairgrass), pensylvanica ( (pipsissewa), Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern), sedge), Carex communis (a sedge), and C. rosea (a Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla), Gaultheria sedge). procumbens (teaberry), spp. (tick-trefoil), Galium spp. (cleavers), and various graminoids.

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Related types: The "Virginia pine - mixed hardwood shale woodland" has an open canopy and (star-), and Medeola virginiana (Indian is found on dry shale slopes. If the total conifer cumber-root) are typical. The successional status of component is below 25%, consult the "Broadleaf this type seems variable, in some cases, especially terrestrial forest" section. on harsher sites, it appears relatively stable, in other cases it appears to be transitional. The "Serpentine Virginia pine - oak forest" differs from this type in ecology and species composition. The Related types: If the total conifer cover is less than serpentine type occurs only on serpentinite-derived 25% of the canopy, see the "Broadleaf terrestrial soils. Q. stellata (post oak) and Q. marilandica forests" section. This forest type shares several species (blackjack oak), which are not characteristic of the with the "Hemlock (white pine) - red oak - mixed more common type, are frequently found in the hardwood" forest type. The latter is more mesic; Q. serpentine forest type. For a more detailed explanation montana (chestnut oak), Pteridium aquilinum of the ecology of serpentine barrens, see the (bracken fern) and Aralia nudicaulis (wild description of the "Serpentine barrens complex." sarsaparilla) are more often associated with the dry type, while Q. rubra (red oak), Podophyllum peltatum Range: Piedmont, Ridge and Valley. (may-) and Smilacina racemosa (false Solomon's seal) are more characteristic of the mesic Selected references: Hunter and Swisher 1983, type. Eyre 1980. Range: Most typical of the Ridge and Valley, also [Crosswalk: Smith's "Xeric Central Hardwood - occurs on South Mountain, Glaciated NE, Glaciated Conifer Forest," TNC's Pinus virginiana - Quercus NW, Pittsburgh Plateau. (alba, stellata, falcata, prinus, velutina) Forest Alliance, SAF's Virginia pine-oak (78).] Selected references: Braun 1950, Eyre 1980.

[Crosswalk: Smith's "Dry - Mesic Acidic Central Dry white pine (hemlock) oak forest Forest," TNC's Pinus strobus - Quercus (rubra, alba, This community type occurs on fairly dry sites, often velutina) Forest Alliance and Tsuga canadensis - with 25% or more of the forest floor covered by rocks, Pinus strobus (dry) Forest Alliance, SAF's White pine boulders and/or exposed bedrock. The canopy may be - chestnut oak (51).] somewhat open and tree growth somewhat suppressed. The tree stratum is dominated by a mixture of Pinus strobus (eastern white pine), or Hemlock (white pine) - northern occasionally Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock), hardwood forest and a mixture of dry-site hardwoods, predominantly Any of the three named components may be dominant; oaks. On most sites, the conifer and the hardwood at least two are present in some amount. Conifers and component both range between 25% and 75% of the hardwoods each contribute between 25% and 75% of canopy. The oak species most often associated with the canopy. Characteristic hardwood species include this type are (chestnut oak), and Q. Fagus grandifolia (American beech), alba (white oak), although Q. velutina (black oak), Q. (sugar maple), A. rubrum (red maple), Betula coccinea (scarlet oak), or Q. rubra (northern red oak) lenta (black birch), and B. alleghaniensis (yellow may also occur. Other associated include Nyssa birch). The conifer component may be Pinus strobus sylvatica (black-gum), Betula lenta (sweet birch), (eastern white pine), Tsuga canadensis (eastern (white ash), Prunus serotina hemlock), or a combination of the two. These forests (wild black cherry), and Castanea dentata (American occur mostly on mesic sites, often north-facing, chestnut) sprouts. There is often a heath-dominated sometimes rocky and steep. This type is fairly shrub layer with Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) widespread in northern Pennsylvania. Rhododendron being especially important; Gaylussacia baccata (black maximum (rosebay) may be locally abundant. Other huckleberry), Vaccinium spp. (blueberries), and Kalmia common shrubs include Hamamelis virginiana (witch- angustifolia ( laurel) are also common. Other hazel), (moosewood), and shrubs, like Cornus (flowering dogwood), Viburnums (Viburnum spp.). The herbaceous layer is Hamamelis virginiana (witch-hazel), Viburnum generally sparse and reflects a northern affinity; acerifolium (maple-leaved viburnum) may also occur common components include Maianthemum on less acidic sites. There is typically a sparse canadense (Canada mayflower), Trientalis borealis herbaceous layer with a northern affinity; Aralia (star-flower), Thelypteris noveboracensis (New York nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla), Pteridium aquilinum fern), Medeola virginiana (Indian cucumber-root), (bracken fern), Maianthemum canadense (Canada Lycopodium lucidulum (shining clubmoss), Mitchella mayflower), Gaultheria procumbens (teaberry), repens (partridge-berry), and Clintonia borealis Trientalis borealis (bluebead lily). There is often a rich bryophyte layer.

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Related types: The "Northern hardwood forest" rubra (red oak), and Tsuga canadensis (eastern community type has less than 25% combined relative hemlock) and/or Pinus strobus (eastern white pine). In cover by conifers. The "Hemlock (white pine) - red oak the "Hemlock (white pine) - northern hardwood forest," - mixed hardwood forest" type is generally dominated the same conifers usually share dominance with Fagus by a combination of various oaks—characteristically grandifolia (American beech), Betula spp. (), and Quercus rubra (red oak), Tsuga canadensis (eastern Acer saccharum (sugar maple). The understory hemlock) and/or Pinus strobus (white pine). In the species associated with the "Hemlock (white pine) - community described here, the same conifers usually northern hardwood forest" type are likewise more share dominance with Fagus grandifolia northern in affinity. (American beech), Betula spp. (birches), and Acer saccharum (sugar maple). The understory species Range: Entire state except the Coastal Plain. associated with this community are likewise more northern in affinity. Selected references: Braun 1950, Eyre 1980.

Range: Entire state except the Coastal Plain, [Crosswalk: Smith's "Dry - Mesic Acidic Central Piedmont, and South Mountain. Forest" (in part), TNC's Tsuga canadensis - Pinus strobus Forest Alliance, SAF's White pine - northern red oak - red maple (20).] Selected references: Braun 1950, Nichols 1935, Whitney 1990a, 1990b.

[Crosswalk: Smith's "Northern Hardwood - Conifer Hemlock - tuliptree - birch forest Forest," TNC's Tsuga canadensis - Pinus strobus The presence of tuliptree and a mix of somewhat more Forest Alliance. If split, Tsuga canadensis (mesic) southern species distinguish this type from the "Hem- Forest Alliance, SAF's Hemlock - yellow birch (24).] lock/white pine - northern hardwood" type. This is generally a lower slope or cove type. Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) usually contributes at Hemlock (white pine) - red oak - least 25% of the canopy. (tuliptree), (yellow birch), and mixed hardwood forest B. lenta (sweet birch) are the most characteristic This type is similar to the "Red oak - mixed hardwood hardwood species. Other tree species commonly found forest" type but with Tsuga canadensis (eastern on these sites are Acer rubrum (red maple), A. hemlock) and/or Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) saccharum (sugar maple), Quercus spp. (oaks)—usually contributing more than 25% relative cover. Conifers Q. rubra (northern red oak), as well as Fagus may be scattered, locally abundant, may dominate the grandifolia (American beech), Fraxinus americana subcanopy, or may occur as a relict supracanopy (white ash), Prunus serotina (wild black cherry), (Pinus strobus), or in large former canopy gaps (Pinus americana (basswood), Pinus strobus (eastern white strobus). Quercus rubra (northern red oak) is usually pine), and in western Pennsylvania, Magnolia present, often dominant/codominant, most often with acuminata (cucumber-tree). Shrubs include Acer rubrum (red maple), (black Hamamelis virginiana (witch-hazel), Rhododendron oak), Q. alba (white oak), maximum (rosebay) and others. The herbaceous layer (mockernut hickory), Betula lenta (sweet birch), is highly variable; characteristic species include Fraxinus americana (white ash), Fagus grandifolia Maianthemum canadense (Canada mayflower)— (American beech), and/or Liriodendron tulipifera especially under hemlock, Podophyllum peltatum (tuliptree). Shrubs include Viburnum (may-apple), D r y o p t e r i s marginalis ( acerifolium (maple-leaved viburnum), Rhododendron fern), Botrychium virginianum (rattlesnake fern), periclymenoides (pinxter-flower), Amelanchier laevis Arisaema triphyllum (jack-in-the-pulpit), (smooth serviceberry), A. arborea (shadbush), Carpinus divaricatus (white wood aster), and Polystichum caroliniana (), virginiana (hop- acrostichoides (Christmas fern). hornbeam), Hamamelis virginiana (witch-hazel), and (spicebush). Herbaceous Related types: If hemlock contributes less than 25% species include Smilacina racemosa (false Solomon's- of the canopy cover, read the description of the seal), Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon's seal), "Tuliptree -(beech) - maple forest." This type is in some Gaultheria procumbens (teaberry), Maianthemum ways intermediate between the "Hemlock (white pine) - canadense (Canada mayflower), and Podophyllum northern hardwoods forest," which has a more peltatum (may-apple). northern species composition and range, and the "Hemlock - rich mesic hardwoods forest," which has a Related types: The "Red oak - mixed hardwood forest" richer, more southern species composition and a more type has less than 25% combined relative cover by southerly range. This type is also closely related to conifers. The type described here is generally the "Hemlock (white pine) -red oak forest," which dominated by a combination of various oaks— often occurs on dryer sites, and characteristically Quercus

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generally has Quercus rubra (red oak) as a major type, with the addition of Tsuga canadensis (eastern canopy component. hemlock) usually with at least 25% relative cover. It is much richer in species composition than the most Range: Piedmont, Pittsburgh Plateau, Ridge and closely related mixed conifer/broadleaf forest type, Valley. the "Hemlock - tuliptree - birch forest." Species like Magnolia tripetala (umbrella magnolia), Selected references: Braun 1950, Eyre 1980. (pawpaw), trifolia (bladdernut), Corydalis flavula (yellow fumewort), Sanguinaria canadensis [Crosswalk: Smith's "Dry - Mesic Acidic Central (bloodroot), and Dicentra spp. (dutchman's-breeches Forest," TNC's "Tsuga canadensis (mesic) Forest and squirrel-corn) are more typical of this richer, more Alliance, Tsuga canadensis - Fagus grandifolia southern type. Community, SAF's Yellow poplar eastern hemlock (58).] Range: Piedmont, Pittsburgh Plateau, southeastern portion of Ridge and Valley.

Rich hemlock - mesic hardwoods forest Selected references: Braun 1950, PNDI field surveys. These are species-rich, lower slope forests, reminiscent of the "Mixed mesophytic forest" type in [Crosswalk: Smith's "Mesic Central Forest" (in part), the southwestern part of the state, but usually with a TNC's Tsuga canadensis (mesic) Forest Alliance, strong Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) SAF's Eastern hemlock (23) and Yellow poplar - component. The hardwood species vary; typical white oak -northern red oak (59).] representatives include Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree), Fagus grandifolia (American beech), Quercus rubra (northern red oak), Acer rubrum (red BROADLEAF TERRESTRIAL FORESTS maple), A. saccharum (sugar maple), Betula lenta (sweet birch), B. alleghaniensis (yellow birch), Fraxinus americana (white ash), (basswood) and Dry oak - heath forest (shagbark hickory). Hemlock cover is This is a fairly broadly defined community type. These often patchy. Under hardwood cover, the herbaceous forests occur on xeric to moderately dry, acidic diversity approaches that of the richer "Mixed sites, often on shallow or sandy soils and/or steep mesophytic" type, while under dense hemlock cover, slopes. The most characteristic tree species for this the herbaceous stratum reflects a more northern flora. forest type is Quercus montana (chestnut oak), Magnolia tripetala S (umbrella magnolia) is not usually occurring with a mix of Q. velutina (black uncommon. Other southern shrubs such as Asimina oak), Q. coccinea (scarlet oak), and/or Q. alba triloba (pawpaw) and Staphylea trifolia (bladdernut) (white oak). Other tree species include Sassafras may also occur, although Rhododendron maximum albidum (sassafras), Nyssa sylvatica (black-gum), (rosebay), Hamamelis virginiana (witch-hazel), and Betula lenta (sweet birch), Acer rubrum (red Lindera benzoin (spicebush) are more maple), Carya glabra (pignut hickory), Pinus rigida abundant on most sites. Herbaceous species (pitch pine), P. virginiana (Virginia pine), and Pinus include Adiantum pedatum (maidenhair fern), strobus (eastern white pine). Total cover by conifers Erythronium americanum (trout-lily), Maianthemum generally does not exceed 25% of the canopy. canadense (Canada mayflower), Anemone quinquefolia Castanea dentata () stump sprouts (wood anemone), Dicentra canadensis (squirrel-corn), are not uncommon. The shrub layer is dominantly D. cucullaria (dutchman's breeches), Cimicifuga ericaceous; common species include Kalmia latifolia racemosa (black snakeroot), Geranium maculatum (mountain laurel), Gaylussacia baccata (black (wood geranium), Caulophyllum thalictroides (blue huckleberry), Vaccinium pallidum (lowbush cohosh), Hepatica nobilis (liverleaf), Arisaema blueberry), V. angustifolium (low sweet blueberry), triphyllum (jack-in-the-pulpit), Allium tricoccum (wild (maple-leaved viburnum), and in leek), Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot), Corydalis more open areas, Comptonia perigrina (sweet-fern). flavula (yellow fumewort), Asplenium spp. Owing largely to the thick, resistant oak/ericad leaf (spleenworts), Botrychium virginianum (rattlesnake litter, the herbaceous layer is generally sparse. fern), Claytonia virginica (spring-beauty), Cardamine Common constituents include Maianthemum concatenata (cut-leaved toothwort), Mitella diphylla canadense (Canada mayflower), Carex pensylvanica (bishop's-cap), and Asarum canadense (wild ginger). In (Pennsylvania sedge), Carex communis (a sedge), areas without a strong Tsuga canadensis (eastern Chimaphila maculata (pipissewa), Epigaea repens hemlock) component, there may be complete annual (trailing arbutus), Gaultheria procumbens (teaberry), litter turnover. This type may occur in a variety of Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla), Pteridium lower slope/ravine situations. aquilinum (bracken fern), and Cypripedium acaule (pink lady's-slipper).

Related types: This community type resembles a

somewhat depauperate version of the "Mixed

mesophytic forest”

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Related types: The "Dry oak - mixed hardwood forest" 25% relative cover). The "Dry oak - heath forest" type is similar but occurs on less acidic (and often less occurs on more acidic sites and is distinguished from dry) sites and does not have an overwhelming domi- this by a clear dominance of ericaceous shrubs in the nance of heaths in the shrub layer. As one moves up- understory. The "Yellow oak - redbud woodland" type slope or toward a drier exposure, the evergreen compo- is more strongly calciphilic, with a clear dominance of nent may increase and this type may grade into the calciphiles, is much more restricted in distribution, "Pitch pine - mixed hardwood forest" type. Where the and generally has an open canopy. canopy becomes open, with trees over five meters high covering less than 60% of the site overall, this becomes Selected references: Braun 1955, Monk, 1mm, and the “Dry oak - heath woodland." Potter 1990, Pearson 1974, 1979.

Range: Entire state. Range: Entire state except Coastal Plain.

Selected references: Braun 1950, Sneddon, [Crosswalk: Smith's "Dry-Mesic Calcareous Central Anderson, and Metzler 1996. Forest," "Xeric Central Hardwood Forest," TNC's Quercus (prinus, rubra) - Carya Forest Alliance and [Crosswalk: Smith's " Xeric Central Hardwood Forest," parts of Carya -Fraxinus - Quercus Forest Alliance, TNC's Quercus - Forest Alliance and Quercus although the latter is generally richer and more mesic, (prinus, coccinea, velutina) Forest Alliance, SAF: most SAF's White oak - black oak - northern red oak (52).] of Chestnut oak (44), and parts of Northern red oak (55) and White oak - black oak - northern red oak (52).] Red oak - mixed hardwood forest This broadly defined community type includes much of Pennsylvania's hardwood-dominated forests occurring Dry oak-mixed hardwood forest on fairly mesic sites, and is therefore quite variable in This type occurs on less acidic to somewhat composition. Quercus rubra (northern red oak) is calcareous, moderately dry soils. It is most often found usually present, often dominant/codominant, most on south and southwest-facing slopes. Common trees often with Acer rubrum (red maple), Quercus velutina include Quercus alba (white oak), Betula lenta (sweet (black oak), Q. alba (white oak), Carya tomentosa birch), (shellbark hickory), Celtis (mockernut hickory), C. ovata (shagbark hickory), occidentalis (hackberry), Acer rubrum (red maple), A. Betula lenta (sweet birch), B. alleghaniensis (yellow saccharum (sugar maple), Q. montana (chestnut oak), birch), Fraxinus americana (white ash), Fagus Q. velutina (black oak), Q. rubra (northern red oak), grandifolia (American beech), and/or Liriodendron Carya glabra (pignut hickory), Fraxinus americana tulipifera (tuliptree). Shrubs include Viburnum (white ash), and Tilia americana (basswood). The shrub recognitum (northern arrowwood), V. dentatum layer is perhaps more diagnostic. Characteristic (southern arrowwood), V. acerifolium (maple-leaved shrubs include (flowering dogwood), viburnum), Amelanchier laevis (smooth serviceberry), (hornbeam), A. arborea (shadbush), Kalmia latifolia (mountain (beaked ), (shadbush), laurel), Carpinus caroliniana (hornbeam), Ostrya canadensis (redbud), and virginiana (hop-hornbeam), Hamamelis virginiana (hop-hornbeam). Ericaceous shrubs are uncommon, (witch-hazel), and Lindera benzoin (spicebush). The although Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) does herbaceous layer is highly variable. Representative occur on some sites. This type usually contains a species include Uvularia sessilifolia (wild-oats), somewhat richer herbaceous flora than the "Dry oak- Smilacina racemosa (false Solomon's-seal), heath" forest type (although restricted by moisture Podophyllum peltatum (may-apple), Chimaphila availability). Herbaceous species include Smilacina maculata (pipissewa), Gaultheria procumbens racemosa (false Solomon's-seal), Uvularia sessilifolia (teaberry), Medeola virginiana (Indian cucumber-root), (wild-oats), Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon's-seal), Caulophyllum thalictroides (blue cohosh)—on richer ( spleenwort), Desmodium sites, Dryopteris spp. (wood ferns), and Dennstaedtia spp. (tick-trefoil), Hieracium venosum (rattlesnake punctilobula (hayscented fern). weed), Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla), Carex pensylvanica (a sedge), Carex communis (a sedge), and Related types: The "Hemlock (white pine) - red oak - Lysimachia quadrifolia (whorled loosestrife). mixed hardwood forest" type is distinguished from this by the presence of at least 25% relative cover by Related types: The "Virginia pine - mixed hardwood hemlock and/or white pine. The "Northern hardwood forest" type sometimes occurs in association with this forest" is distinguished by a greater percentage of type (especially on calcareous shales) and is birches, , and beech, and less oak. distinguished by the presence of a substantial conifer component (at least

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Range: Entire state, although less common on Black cherry - northern hardwood forest the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. This forest type is characterized by at least 40% relative cover by black cherry and is most Selected references: Braun 1955, Gordon characteristic of the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. 1941, Harshberger 1904, Pearson 1974, Common associates are Acer rubrum (red maple), A. 1979. saccharum (sugar maple), Betula lenta (sweet birch), B. alleghaniensis (yellow birch), Fagus grandifolia [Crosswalk: falls between Smith's "Dry - Mesic Acidic (American beech), and Quercus spp. (oaks), usually Q. Central Forest" and " Mesic central forest," TNC's rubra (northern red oak). Pinus strobus (eastern white Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum Forest Alliance pine) and/or Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) may (mostly) and Quercus (prinus, rubra) - Carya be present (at less than 25% relative cover). Shrubs Forest Alliance (to a lesser extent), SAF's Northern include Viburnum lantanoides (witch-hobble), Acer red oak (55).] pensylvanicum (-wood), Rubus allegheniensis (Allegheny blackberry), Ilex montana (mountain holly), Hamamelis virginiana (witch-hazel), and Northern hardwood forest Amelanchier arborea (shadbush). Common herba- Dominant trees usually include Fagus grandifolia ceous species include Dennstaedtia punctilobula (American beech), Acer rubrum (red maple), A. (hayscented fern), Thelypteris noveboracensis (New saccharum (sugar maple), Prunus serotina (wild York fern), Dryopteris intermedia (common wood fern), black cherry)—at less than 40% relative cover, Betula Lycopodium spp. (ground pine), Aster acuminatus lenta (sweet birch), B. alleghaniensis (yellow birch), (wood aster), Viola spp. (violets), Medeola virginiana B. papyrifera ( birch), Q. rubra (northern red (Indian cucumber-root), Uvularia sessilifolia (wild- oak), and Fraxinus americana (white ash). This type oats), Brachyelytrum erectum (brachyelytrum), may contain scattered Pinus strobus (eastern white Maianthemum canadense (Canada mayflower), and pine) and/or Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock), but Oxalis acetosella (common wood-sorrel). combined conifer cover does not exceed 25% of the canopy. Rhododendron maximum (rosebay) may be Related types: The "Northern hardwood forest" may locally abundant. Other common shrubs include contain Prunus serotina (wild black cherry) as a Hamamelis virginiana (witch-hazel), Acer component, but it does not generally exceed 40% pensylvanicum (moose-wood), Viburnum lantanoides relative cover. This forest type is most characteristic of (witch-hobble), Ilex montana (mountain holly), the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. Amelanchier laevis (smooth serviceberry), A. arborea (shadbush), and Carpinus caroliniana (hornbeam). The Range: Glaciated NE, Glaciated NW, herbaceous layer is generally sparse and reflects a Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. northern affinity; common components include Maianthemum canadense (Canada mayflower), Selected references: Hough and Forbes 1943, Trientalis borealis (starflower), Thelypteris Marquis 1975. novaboracensis (New York fern), Dryopteris carthusiana (fancy fern), Lycopodium lucidulum (shining clubmoss), [Crosswalk: Smith's " Northern Hardwood (Broadleaf) Gaultheria procumbens (teaberry), Forest," TNC's Acer saccharum - Betula alleghaniensis - (partridge-berry), Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla), Fagus grandifolia Forest Alliance, Acer saccharum - Medeola virginiana (Indian cucumber-root), and Betula alleghaniensis - Prunus serotina Community, Maianthemum canadense (Canada mayflower). SAF's Black cherry - maple (28).]

Related types: If combined relative cover by conifers exceeds 25%, please read description for the "Hemlock Tuliptree - beech - maple forest (white pine) - northern hardwood forest." If cover by Prunus serotina (wild black cherry) exceeds 40% of These occur on fairly deep, not strongly acidic canopy, please read description for the "Black cherry - soils, at a mid-to lower-slope position. The most northern hardwood forest" type. consistent tree species for this often very mixed type are Acer rubrum (red maple) and Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree). Fagus Range: Glaciated NE, Glaciated NW, Pocono grandifolia (American beech) is often present and, Plateau, Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. when present, is often codominant. In successional, lower slope situations, Liriodendron Selected references: Braun 1950, Illick and Frontz 1928, Lindsey and Escobar 1976.

[Crosswalk: Smith's " Northern Hardwood (Broadleaf) Forest," TNC's Acer saccharum - Betula alleghaniensis -Fagus grandifolia Forest Alliance, SAF's Sugar maple -beech - yellow birch (24).]

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tulipifera (tuliptree) may occur in nearly pure stands. americana (white ash), Liriodendron tulipifera The long list of possible associates includes various (tuliptree), Betula alleghaniensis (yellow birch), and B. oaks, mostly Q. rubra (red oak), as well as Nyssa lenta (sweet birch). Shrubs include Lindera benzoin sylvatica (black-gum), Acer saccharum (sugar maple), (spicebush), Hamamelis virginiana (witch-hazel), and Carya tomentosa (mockernut hickory), C. ovata on richer sites Asimina triloba (pawpaw) and Staphylea (shagbark hickory), Betula lenta (sweet birch), Tsuga trifolia (bladdernut). There is generally a rich vernal canadensis (eastern hemlock)—less than 25% relative flora; species include Anemone quinquefolia (wood cover and in—western Pennsylvania, Magnolia anemone), Cimicifuga racemosa (black snakeroot), acuminata (cucumber-tree). Common shrubs include Geranium maculatum (wood geranium), various viburnums, Carpinus caroliniana (hornbeam), Caulophyllum thalictroides (blue cohosh), Allium Cornus Florida (flowering dogwood), Ostrya virginiana tricoccum (wild leek), Hepatica nobilis (liverleaf), (hop-hornbeam), Hamamelis virginiana (witch-hazel), Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot), Erythronium and Lindera benzoin (spicebush). This type has americanum (trout-lily), Claytonia virginica (spring- different expressions in different parts of the state as beauty), Arisaema triphyllum (jack-in-the-pulpit), well as according to disturbance history etc. There Mitella diphylla (bishop's-cap), Cardamine concatenata may be a rich herbaceous layer, especially in the (cut-leaved toothwort), and Asarum canadense (wild vernal flora. On richer sites that are not over-browsed, ginger). Other herbaceous species include Smilacina this may include species like Podophyllum peltatum racemosa (false Solomon's-seal), Dryopteris marginalis (may-apple), Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot), (evergreen wood fern), and Botrychium virginianum Botrychium virginianum (rattlesnake fern), Dicentra (rattlesnake fern). cucullaria (dutchman's-breeches), D. canadensis (squirrel corn), Allium tricoccum (wild leek), Claytonia Related types: The "Red oak - mixed hardwood forest" virginica (spring-beauty) etc. is usually dominated by oaks and , and more often has heaths like Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) Related types: This type is closely related to the "Red and Gaultheria procumbens (teaberry) in the oak - mixed hardwood forest" type. They share many understory. The "Tuliptree - beech - maple forest" type species in common. The "Red oak - mixed hardwood generally lacks Tilia americana (basswood) and occurs forest" type is more widespread, occurs across a on gentle toeslopes rather than rocky slopes. In broader ecological range, and is usually dominated by western Pennsylvania, this type may resemble oaks and hickories. This type is more restricted, depauperate examples of the "Mixed mesophytic forest" generally occurring on toeslopes, or north-facing lower type. and midslopes. The dominance of beech, tulip, and maple and the near-absence of heaths, such as Range: Glaciated NE, Region, Gaultheria procumbens (teaberry) and Kalmia latifolia Piedmont, Pittsburgh Plateau, Ridge and Valley, (mountain laurel), distinguish these forests from the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. oak-dominated type. Selected references: Eyre 1980, Harker et al. 1993. Range: Piedmont, Pittsburgh Plateau, Ridge and Valley. [Crosswalk: Smith's "Talus Slope Forest," TNC's Acer saccharum - Fraxinus americana - Tilia americana Selected references: Pearson 1974, PNDI field Forest Alliance and Acer saccharum - Fraxinus surveys. americana - Forest Alliance, Acer saccharum -Liriodendron tulipifera - Fraxinus [Crosswalk: falls between Smith's "Dry-mesic acidic americana - Staphylea trifolia Community, SAF's Sugar central forest" and " Mesic central forest", TNC's Fagus maple - basswood (26).] grandifolia - Acer saccharum (Liriodendron tulipifera) Forest Alliance, SAF's Yellow poplar (57) (in part), also some non-oak dominated portions of Yellow poplar white - oak (59).] Mixed mesophytic forest This is specific to the southwestern part of the state and includes several species that find their northern Sugar maple - basswood forest and eastern limits in Pennsylvania. This is an extremely rich community type that typically occurs on In eastern Pennsylvania, this type occurs on rich deep soils at a lower slope position. Dominant trees rocky slopes (although it may have occurred on less include Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree), Acer steep sites previous to extensive logging that left these saccharum (sugar maple), Fagus grandifolia (American inaccessible remnants as our only remaining beech), Tilia americana (basswood), Quercus rubra examples). In western Pennsylvania, this type occurs (northern red oak), Magnolia acuminata (cucumber- on a wide range of sites. Aside from Acer saccharum tree), Prunus serotina (wild black cherry), Fraxinus (sugar maple) and Tilia americana (basswood), other americana (white ash), nigra (black ), trees typically present include Quercus rubra Carya ovata (shagbark hickory), (northern red oak) Fraxinus

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glabra ( buckeye), and A. flava (yellow buckeye). gum)—usually a dominant, Quercus falcataS Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) may occur in (southern red oak), Q. phellosS ( oak), Q. alba these forests, but is not characteristically a dominant. (white oak), Fagus grandifolia (American beech), Acer Shrubs include Asimina triloba (pawpaw), Staphylea rubrum (red maple), Smilax rotundifolia (greenbrier), trifolia (bladdernut), Rhododendron maximum Leucothoe (rosebay), Magnolia tripetalaS (umbrella magnolia), racemosas (fetter-bush), Lyonia marianaS (stagger- Cercis canadensis (redbud), Lindera benzoin bush), Clethra alnifolia (sweet pepperbush), Kalmia (spicebush), (wild hydrangea), latifolia (mountain laurel), and sometimes Ilex opacaS and Hamamelis virginiana (witch-hazel). The (American holly). Not much of this type remains in herbaceous flora is extremely rich and includes such Pennsylvania, and what there is tends to be badly species as (white trillium), T. degraded. erectum (purple trillium), T. sessile (toadshade), Erythronium americanum (trout-lily), Phlox divaricata Related types: The predominance of Liquidambar (wild blue phlox), Anemone quinquefolia (wood styraciflua (sweet gum), (willow oak), anemone), Dicentra canadensis (squirrelcorn), D. Lyonia marianaS (stagger-bush), and other coastal cucullaria (dutchman's-breeches), Clintonia plain species makes this community type easily umbellulata (speckled wood-lily), Cimicifuga racemosa distinguishable from other terrestrial forest types in (black snakeroot), Geranium maculatum (wood Pennsylvania. The "Red maple - magnolia Coastal geranium), Caulophyllum thalictroides (blue cohosh), Plain palustrine forest" is a palustrine forest type also Tiarella cordifolia (foamflower), Hepatica nobilis characteristic of Pennsylvania's Coastal Plain. The (liverleaf), Allium tricoccum (wild leek), Sanguinaria difference in hydrology and associated species clearly canadensis (bloodroot), Corydalis flavula (yellow differentiates the two. fumewort), Botrychium virginianum (rattlesnake fern), Claytonia virginica (spring-beauty), Cardamine Range: Coastal Plain, Piedmont. concatenata (cut-leaved toothwort), Mitella diphylla (bishop's-cap), and Asarum canadense (wild ginger). Selected references: Heckscher 1994, Smith 1991. Most of these systems have a complete, or nearly com- plete, annual litter turnover. [Crosswalk: Smith's "Coastal plain forest" (in part), TNC's Quercus - Fagus grandifolia - Forest Related types: The "Hemlock - mesic hardwood forest" Alliance, Quercus - Fagus grandifolia / Podophyllum type usually has 25% or more relative cover by Tsuga peltatum Community, SAF's White oak (53) (in part).] canadensis (eastern hemlock), but is otherwise similar in ecology and species composition. The "Sugar maple -basswood forest" type is less species-rich than this Red maple (terrestrial) forest type, often occurs on rocky slopes, and generally lacks This is generally an early-to mid-successional type the complete annual litter turnover that characterizes that is becoming increasingly common as red maple this type. The range of this community type is increases in Pennsylvania's forests. This type is restricted to the Pittsburgh Plateau. Similar sites in seldom pure, but Acer rubrum (red maple) dominates other parts of the state most likely belong to either the the tree stratum. Associate species include Quercus "Sugar maple - basswood forest" type or the "Tuliptree spp. (oaks), Betula lenta (sweet birch), Liriodendron - beech - maple forest" type. tulipifera (tuliptree), Carya spp. (hickories), Fraxinus americana (white ash), Prunus serotina (wild black Range: Pittsburgh Plateau. cherry), and other hardwoods. Because Acer rubrum (red maple) has such a wide ecological amplitude, this Selected references: Braun 1950, Harker et al. type may occur from the upper through the lower 1993, PNDI field surveys slope. Accordingly, the associated species vary greatly. Some shrubs commonly present include [Crosswalk: Smith's "Mesic Central Forest" (in part), Viburnum acerifolium (maple-leaved viburnum), TNC's Liriodendron tulipifera - Tilia americana var. Lindera benzoin (spicebush), Hamamelis virginiana heterophylla - Aesculus flava - Acer saccharum (witch-hazel), and Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel), Forest Alliance, SAF's Yellow-poplar - white oak - Gaylussacia baccata (black huckleberry), and Corpus northern red oak (59)—richer examples.] florida (flowering dogwood). More information is needed regarding the ecology and species composition of this community type. Sweet gum - oak coastal plain forest This type is restricted to the level, sandy soils of the Related types: The "Northern hardwood forest" type Coastal Plain the adjacent Piedmont; characteristic may contain a substantial amount of Acer rubrum (red species include, (sweet- maple), especially in younger stands. This type is not intended to include very young successional stands of northern hardwoods.

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Range: Entire state. community type may also result from practices that maintain an early successional stage. Selected reference: Abrams 1998. Related types: The "Northern hardwood forest" type [Crosswalk: Smith - no crosswalk, TNC - no may contain a substantial birch component. Many crosswalk, SAF's Red maple (108).] forest types may contain patches of aspen or birch in former canopy gaps; this community type is not intended to describe such small patches. Black-gum ridgetop forest This community type occurs on fairly dry ridgetops. Range: Entire state. The canopy may be somewhat open; tree growth is somewhat suppressed. These ridgetops may have been [Crosswalk: Smith's "Young Miscellaneous Forest," exposed to repeated fires. Nyssa sylvatica is the domi- TNC's Populus tremuloides Forest Alliance, SAF's nant species; Betula lenta (sweet birch), Sassafras Aspen (16) and Gray birch - red maple (19).] albidum (sassafras), Acer rubrum (red maple), Quercus montana (chestnut oak), Q. velutina (black oak), and Q. rubra (red oak) are often present. The shrub layer is Black locust forest dominantly ericaceous; common species include This community type usually occurs on highly Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel), Gaylussacia baccata disturbed sites or in small woodlots in an agricultural (black h u c k l e b e r r y ) , Vaccinium spp. or suburban matrix. Robinia pseudoacacia (black (blueberry), and Hamamelis virginiana (witch- locust) is usually the dominant tree. Betula lenta hazel). The herbaceous layer is generally sparse. (sweet birch) is frequently codominant. Other Common constituents include Carex pensylvanica associates vary; typical representatives include Acer (Pennsylvania sedge), Carex communis (a sedge), rubrum (red maple), the exotic Acer platanoidesI Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus), Gaultheria ( maple), Sassafras albidum (sassafras), various procumbens (teaberry), Aralia nudicaulis (wild oaks (Quercus spp.), or Prunus serotina (wild black sarsaparilla), and Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern). cherry). There is generally a dense graminoid understory due to the light penetration through the Related types: This type is fairly uniform in canopy. (poison ivy) is com- composition and is restricted to ridgetops and high monly abundant. Exotic species usually predominate; shoulders. The "Birch (black-gum) rocky slope common representatives include Lonicera japonicaI woodland" occurs on talus or scree slopes and (Japanese ), Ailanthus altissimaI boulderfields, has an open canopy, and has a wide (tree-ofheaven), L. morrowiiI (Morrow's honeysuckle), range of possible associates depending on aspect and Berberis thunbergiiI (Japanese barberry), Alliaria location. petiolate' (garlic mustard), Polygonum perfoliatumI (mile-a-minute), Microstegium vimineumI , (stilt grass), Range: Ridge and Valley. Poa pratensisI (Kentucky bluegrass), Dactylis glomerataI (orchard grass), and Holcus lanatusI (velvet Selected references: Daniel Devlin— grass). personal communication. Related types: Other forest types may contain [Crosswalk: none.] Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), this type refers to sites where it is clearly dominant. Aspen/gray (paper) birch forest Range: Piedmont, Pittsburgh Plateau, Ridge and This type is frequently mixed, but sometimes occurs in Valley. nearly pure stands of one of the named species. The birch may be (paper birch) on Selected references: Eyre 1980. more northern sites, or B. populifolia (gray birch) and occasionally B. lenta (sweet birch). The aspen may be [Crosswalk: Smith's "Young Miscellaneous Forest," (large-toothed aspen), or P. TNC -no crosswalk, SAF's Black locust (50).] tremuloides (quaking aspen). Associates include Sassafras albidum (sassafras), Acer spp. (maples), and Prunus spp. (cherry). This is an early successional forest type, commonly found on former agricultural land, in areas of ice scour along stream banks, and where there has been major disturbance resulting in areas of exposed mineral soil. This

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