Clayey Upland Wet-Mesic Hardwood Forest

Description

The reference state consists of three forest communities in varying successional phases.

Dominant plant species

1. sugar maple (Acer saccharum), tree

2. paper birch (Betula papyrifera), tree

3. American basswood (Tilia americana), tree

4. quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree

5. yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), tree

6. northern red oak (Quercus rubra), tree

7. black ash (Fraxinus nigra), tree

8. balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tree

9. white spruce (Picea glauca), tree

10. beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), shrub

11. mountain maple (Acer spicatum), shrub

12. American fly honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis), shrub

13. chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), shrub

14. wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), grass

15. common ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina), grass

16. Clayton's sweetroot (Osmorhiza claytonii), grass

17. hairy Solomon's seal (Polygonatum pubescens), grass

Submodel

Description

Removal of tree species for timber harvest leaves an open canopy with very disturbed understory vegetation. Shrubs dominate immediately post logging and often prevent tree's from re-establishing quickly.

Dominant plant species

1. beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), shrub

2. American fly honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis), shrub

3. mountain maple (Acer spicatum), shrub

4. chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), shrub

Submodel