• This association includes Quercus rubra forests at intermediate elevations (mostly below 3,500 feet, ranging from 2,000-4,000 feet) in the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment, and may possibly range into adjacent areas of the Central Appalachians and Cumberland Plateau.
  • These forests occur on mostly northern to eastern and southeastern, mid to upper, moderately steep slopes of intermediate exposure over acidic soils.
    
    
• This forest is distinguished from High Elevation Red Oak forests (CEGL007300, CEGL007299, and CEGL007298) by lack of species such as Betula alleghaniensis, Ilex montana, Vaccinium simulatum, and by lacking abundant Hamamelis virginiana, as well as its occurrence at lower elevations.
  • In the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment region, these montane oak - hickory forests seem to occupy environments intermediate between more protected forests dominated by Quercus alba and drier, more exposed Quercus prinus forests.
    
    
• The canopy is dominated by Quercus rubra, often with Acer rubrum and/or Liriodendron tulipifera codominating, and occasionally with a high component of Quercus alba in the canopy.
  • Other minor canopy species may include Betula lenta, Carya alba, Carya glabra, Halesia tetraptera var. monticola, Quercus prinus, and Magnolia fraseri.
    
    
• The subcanopy and sapling strata include the canopy species, as well as Halesia tetraptera var. monticola, Betula lenta, Tsuga canadensis, Cornus florida, Acer pensylvanicum, and Oxydendrum arboreum.
  
  
• The shrub stratum is typically sparse but may have local dominance by Gaylussacia ursina or Rhododendron maximum.
  
  
• Herbaceous cover is sparse to moderate but can be species-rich.
  • Ferns can be locally dominant, typically Thelypteris noveboracensis and Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides.

• This canopy is strongly dominated by Quercus rubra and Acer rubrum.
  • Occasionally Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus prinus, and Robinia pseudoacacia may have high canopy coverage.
    
    
• The subcanopy is dominated by Acer rubrum, Halesia tetraptera var. monticola, and Oxydendrum arboreum.
  • Other species that may be present in the canopy and subcanopy, but have minor coverage, include, Carya alba, Cornus florida, Magnolia fraseri, Betula lenta.
    
    
• Shrub coverage is moderate to high and dominated by deciduous species, most often Gaylussacia ursina.
  • Other highly constant species in the shrub stratum include Acer pensylvanicum, Castanea dentata, Calycanthus floridus, Cornus florida, Pyrularia pubera, Halesia tetraptera var. monticola, Magnolia acuminata, Magnolia fraseri, Nyssa sylvatica, Prunus serotina, Rhododendron calendulaceum, Rhododendron maximum, Sassafras albidum, Vaccinium corymbosum, and Viburnum acerifolium.
  • Tsuga canadensis saplings often have moderate coverage in the shrub stratum.
    
    
• Herbaceous cover is sparse to moderate but species rich.
  • Species with the highest coverage and constancy are Galax urceolata and Thelypteris noveboracensis.
  • Other species with high constancy include Eurybia divaricata, Carex spp. (Carex aestivalis, Carex debilis, Carex digitalis, Carex laxiflora, Carex pensylvanica), Chimaphila maculata, Dioscorea quaternata, Galax urceolata, Goodyera pubescens, Houstonia purpurea, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Medeola virginiana, Polygonatum biflorum, Polystichum acrostichoides, Solidago curtisii, Thelypteris noveboracensis, and Uvularia puberula, but other species may occur.
  • Common vines are Smilax rotundifolia, Smilax glauca, and Vitis aestivalis.

• This association is found in the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment and may possibly range into adjacent areas of the Central Appalachians and Cumberland Plateau.

• This community was sampled on the Cades Cove quadrangle and Mount Le Conte quadrangle.
  • Historic samples are from the Cades Cove quadrangle and Thunderhead Mountain quadrangle, but the community is likely in other areas of the Park.
    
    
• On the Cades Cove quadrangle, recent and historic samples representing this community come from elevations ranging from 2,170 to 3,820 feet.
  • In the northern portion of the quadrangle, this community was sampled from the east- and west-facing low slopes and draws of Leadbetter Ridge and on low slopes in the vicinity of Boring Ridge and Rabbit Creek Road.
  • In the central portion of the quadrangle, this community was also sampled on the low slopes north of Doe Ridge; above Forge Knob Branch; above Licklog Branch; and on northeast high slopes and ridges of Gregory Ridge.
  • It was also sampled in the southeastern portion of the quadrangle on a west-facing draw above Eagle Creek.
    
    
• On the Mount Le Conte quadrangle this community was sampled from elevation ranging from 2,295 to 3,260 feet.
  • In the western portion of the quadrangle it was sampled on the high, northwest slope of Piney Mountain and in the vicinity of the Baskins Creek trail.
  • In the southeast, it was sampled on a low slope north of Porters Mountain, above Porter Creek.

• Global Conservation Status Rank: G4? (Last reviewed: 01 03 2000).
  
  
• This community is uncommon but secure within its range.
  • It is often overlooked in surveys or not recognized as distinct, thus it is much more common than the number of documented occurrences suggests.
  • Resolution of taxonomic issues that distinguish this community from similar associations may lead to a range extension.

Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.

Ambrose, J. 1990a. Georgia's natural communities--A preliminary list. Unpublished document. Georgia Natural Heritage Inventory. 5 pp.

Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.

Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. 2002. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Schafale, M. 1998b. Fourth approximation guide. High mountain communities. March 1998 draft. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.

Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.

Simon, Steve. Personal communication.

Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.