Low-Base Chert Upland Woodland

Description

The historical reference state for this Ecological Site was old growth oak woodland. The woodland was dominated by black oak, post oak and white oak. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintained the woodland structure and diverse ground flora species. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species.

Two community phases are recognized in the reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency. Unaltered reference sites are rare today. Many sites have been converted to grassland (State 5). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State 6). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Many former reference sites have been managed effectively for timber harvest, resulting in either even-age (State 2) or uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.

Submodel

Description

These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a sparse understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a sparse understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. However, in the absence of fire, the diversity and cover of the ground flora is still diminished. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.

Submodel

Description

Uneven-Age Managed Woodlands resemble their reference state. The biggest differences are tree age, most being only 50 to 90 years old and denser understories. Composition is also likely altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. Scarlet oak is often more abundant than historically. In addition, without a regular 15 to 20 year harvest re-entry into these stands, they will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species and white oak will become less dominant. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hickory, increase in abundance.

Submodel

Description

Many areas were planted to plantations of shortleaf pine from the 1940’s to the early 1960’s. They are now mature plantations that are usually a mono-culture of a dense pine overstory with a brushy understory of oak and hickory and a dense carpet of shortleaf pine needles on the ground. They lack the diversity and structure. Restoration to phase 1.2 of the reference state is a long-term prospect, requiring extensive thinning, long-term prescribed fire, and perhaps planting of native ground flora species.

Submodel

Description

Conversion of woodlands to non-native cool season grassland species such as tall fescue has been common. Low available water, abundant surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make non-native grasslands difficult to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered patches of tall, mature shortleaf pine. If grazing and pasture management is discontinued, oak sprouts will occur and the site will eventually transition to State 2. Forest stand improvement and tree planting practices can hasten this process.

Submodel

Description

Timbered sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and domestic grazing transition to this state. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as buckbrush, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. Exclusion of cattle from sites in this state coupled with uneven-age management techniques will cause a transition to State 3 (Uneven-Age). This state will be transitioned to a grassland state through clearing and grassland planting or to a pine plantation through clearing, tree planting and fire control.

Submodel