Back to Forests of the Central Appalachians | Feedback
This is
the sixth group of our early inventory notes (by R. F. Mueller) and, like the
rest, is presented with all errors and omissions. As previously, corrections
and explanations are in brackets.
5-27,28,29-95 Bluestone West Va. Conference Center Heartwood Meeting at Bluestone Lake Conference
Center at Bluestone Reservoir, West Va.
6-4-95 East Dry Branch / Little North Mtn. (Proposed
"Little Big Woods" T. S.) Steve Krichbaum and I went to view the
proposed timber sale
6: First
Inventories
I led two botanical walks that were
well attended The first was in the
woods NW of the large field where I parked my pickup (in which I slept). The
night before we heard Whippoorwills call
Also Brown Thrashers and Wood Thrush seemed abundant around the clearing
in the woods. The forest here is mesic
but with increasing oaks on upland. Dominant trees are White Oak, Black Oak,
Scarlet Oak, Black Cherry, Red Maple, Cucumber Magnolia White Ash, Black Locust, Northern Red Oak,
Chestnut Oak Beech, Sugar Maple,
Shagbark Hickory, Pignut Hickory, Mockernut Hickory(?), Virginia Pine, White
Pine, Sassafras, Sourwood, Yellow Buckeye. Flowering Dogwood is abundant and in
some places, where more moisture is available, there is a dense understory of
Paw Paw and Spice Bush. Black Haw Viburnum, Red Bud, Service Berry and Hop
Hornbeam occur. One Wahoo bush was noted. There is a little Witch hazel in
places and in dryer areas under oak, Deer Berry and a low Blueberry (V
pallidum ?). Maple leaf Viburnum also occurs. Smilax species, including Smilax
rotundifolia occur and vines include Virginia Creeper, Poison Ivy and
various grapes. There's some Rubus (Dewberries). Herbaceous species
include Geranium maculatum, 4-leaved Yam, a little May Apple (stunted), Violet Wood Sorrel, Sedum ternatum, Heuchera americana, White Snake
Root, Veronica officinalis, Galium triflorum, Hog Peanut, Potentilla
simplex, Spotted Wintergreen, Plume Lily, Hairy Wood Rush, Carex platyphylla,
Carex hirsutella, Carex radiata, Hypoxis hisuta Cunilla origanoides, Squaw Root, Christmas
Fern, Botrychium virginianum, Asplenium platneuron, Polygonum virginianum,
Hackelia virginiana, Salvia lyrata Tradescantia virginiana (in
bloom), Leucobryum sp and other mosses in dry areas, Verbesina
occidentalis in open areas. Hieracium venosum is common in dry
areas. Apparent basal fire scars occur. We heard Scarlet Tanagers call. Hepatica
americana was noted also.
May 28 The second walk was along Beech Trail to the
south. The moister areas here are dominated by Yellow Buckeye (mostly small to
saplings) Tuliptree, White Oak Black
Locust, Beech, Northern Red Oak, White Ash
Black Oak, Shagbark Black Walnut Magnolia acuminata, Slippery Elm, Red and
Sugar Maples, Black Gum. Dryer areas contain the above oaks and in addition
Chestnut and Scarlet Oaks and Sourwood and Sassafras. There are also a few
Sycamores in moist areas. Understory is dominated by Flowering Dogwood, some
Witchhazel, Red Bud, a little Musclewood was seen and Black Haw Viburnum is
common. There is only a little Pignut Hickory. White Pine is scattered and in
old fields Virginia Pine is common.
Deerberry and low Blueberry occur in dry areas. Smilax sp Virginia Creeper and Poison Ivy are common.
Herbs include Senecio obovatus, S. aureus (the former in bloom). Sedum
ternatum, Osmorhiza longistylis, Verbesina occidentalis, White Snakeroot (
abundant), Hog Peanut, Christmas Fern, Botrychium virginianum, Asplenium
platyneuron (only ferns) Galium aperine and G. triflorum, G,
circaezans, Carex platyphylla, Carex sp, grasses Viola spp, a little Goodyera,
Dentaria laciniata, Honewort, Rue Anemone Jewel Plant[ Jewelweed ] (Impatiens
sp) Cardamine impatiens, Disporum
lanuginosum, Canada Moonseed.
In one
place an area of Virginia Pine on a fairly high site was being invaded by
hardwoods, including Buckeye seedlings. No Striped Maple Little or no herbaceous vegetation was
present. The whole area at the site of both walks appears to have suffered
degradation of its herbaceous vegetation since in such a rich forest with
Buckeye and other mesic species one would expect many more species. Black Cohosh Uvularia, Trillium and other species of
lily family were missing, among others. This hints that tree species of a
degraded mixed mesophyte forest can recover much faster than herbaceous
species.
Another
characteristic of the whole region appears to be a patchy pattern of abundant
lichens on tree trunks as compared with other Central Appalachian areas
visited.
Weather was mild
and humid, mostly cloudy. The entire area which lies between RT 688, East Dry
Branch and Little North Mountain has been stripped by the Gypsy Moth which is
current for the first, perhaps peak year Oaks are mostly stripped of all leaves
and even Red Maple is severely defoliated.
Beginning
at RT 688 we traversed along a Forest development road that trends first a
little SE and then turns gradually NE. The total length is several miles. This
road lies generally between East Dry Branch and the Crest of Little North
Mountain. Elevation at the start is a little below 2000' asl and it reaches
somewhat more than 2100' asl. Between RT 688 and where the traverse crosses the
power line the forest consists of Northern Red Oak, White Oak Chestnut Oak, Red Maple, Black Gum, Pitch
Pine Black Locust, Black Cherry, White
Pine, Scarlet Oak with understory of
Service berry, Blackhaw Viburnum
Hawthorn, Sassafras, Flowering Dogwood, Hemlock (mostly free of
Adelgid, but some have it). Shrubs include Deerberry ( V pallidum ?).
Herbs noted were Potentilla ( simplex ?), Aster divaricatus,
Honewort, Houstonia longifolia, Agrimony sp, Hieracium venenosum,
Pink Ladyslipper (flower fading), Trailing Arbutus Whorled Loosestrife,
Blue-eyed Grass, Spotted Wintergreen. Vines include Poison Ivy, Virginia
Creeper, Smilax rotundifolia There are also various Rubus (Black
and Dew Berries) Yellow Billed Cuckoos
and a Cicada that sounded like " 17 yr locust" were heard. Continuing
past the Powerline the first Pignut, Tuliptree, Cucumber Magnolia and Black
Birch was noted. One small Virginia Juniper[also known as "Red
Cedar"] was in the trail. We saw the first Black Huckleberry, Sweet Fern Lyonia ligustrina and a little Witchhazel.
The undergrowth is very lush, consisting
mostly of Laurel and Black Gum but also includes Menziesia pilosa. There
are a few American Chestnut Sprouts. Black Oak also occurs here as does Scarlet Oak. Herbs include Teaberry, Coreopsis
major, possible Fragaria vesca, Cladonia Wild Indigo, Dwarf Iris (sp?) and Hayscented
Fern becomes common. We noted several Chestnut and Scarlet Oaks that were
little defoliated by the Moth. Just after the road begins to climb we noted our
first Striped Maple, here at perhaps a little over 2000' asl and shortly
thereafter it becomes very abundant and quite large in places. Menziesia also
increases. We had been hearing Scarlet Tanagers. Some large Tuliptrees and
Cucumber Magnolias seem little touched by the Moth. Our first 4-leaved Yam was
seen. As we top the rise the forest becomes more open with little undergrowth
We see our first Goodyera pubera, Uvularia pudica Prenanthese sp, a small White Ash and
hear Vireos call Many of the trees, here
18" dbh and larger and perhaps 80 yrs old or more, show basal fire scars.
These appear to be mostly Northern Red Oak. Striped Maple continues abundant.
Down hill from here there is again a heavy undergrowth of Laurel, Menziesia
etc. Pileated Woodpeckers were heard and we noted a lot of Cunila origaoides
in the path, White Snakeroot is abundant
Grape vines are present along here and little affected by the Moth.
Cuckoos and Tanagers were again heard
Photo #1 is of mohr[mor] layer in soil. Here the trail descends again
and we note the first Spicebush in a small cove of Tuliptree, Cucumber
Magnolia, stunted Black Cohosh, Aster divaricatus Christmas Fern Asplenium
platyneuron, Uvularia sp, Virginia Creeper Sensitive Fern, Hog Peanut, Sugar Maple, Possibly
Also Carex laevivaginata C. scoparia
and C. baileyi Photo #2 is of
virus affected Gypsy Moth larvae on Chestnut Oak Near here we also saw a Butternut Sapling
which had no defoliation by the Moth. A seep near here has abundant Tuliptree,
Black Cohosh, Galium triflorum, Hay Scented Fern, Christmas Fern,
possible Lady Fern, Viola spp., Hypericum punctatum, Geranium
maculatum. Steve saw two species of salamanders and there was a beautiful
tan 3" Millipede. A little farther on we saw a Staghorn Sumac.s We then
reached where the trail / road turns sharply to the left directly down hill in
a concavity with a northern aspect. Here in the Hemlock and Tuliptree-rich
woods we encountered our first Aralia nudicaulis and Indian
Cucumberroot. After crossing the forest boundary here we came upon a pond and a
small logging operation. At this pond we saw a small Northern Watersnake
basking on a down tree above the pond. Defoliation by the Gypsy Moth ceased
abruptly at the Forest Boundary with none apparent on private land so that it
would seem that the latter had been effectively sprayed (?). From the boundary
area we then made a loop toward the crest of Little North Mtn toward the trail
again, mainly to survey some proposed potential "old growth",
"dry mesic" forest as stated in the scoping notice. This tract
extended SW from the boundary bounded by a line a little uphill from the road
and the crest for perhaps 3/4 mile according to the map. The lower slopes
consisted of quite mesic forest dominated by fairly large Tuliptree, White and
Northern Red Oak, Red Maple with abundant Striped Maple, many small saplings
and little herbaceous vegetation. Squaw root parasite is common. There is some
Black Gum and stunted May Apple. Most Hemlock here looks healthy with no sign
of the Adelgid. Flowering Dogwood is common. A little farther on, up the slope,
in the so called potential "old growth", the forest is not "dry
mesic" but xeric, ericaceous, dominantly Chestnut Oak with Laurel
understory and a mohr[mor]/moss layer ( Leucobryum sp etc) In one place, lower down on the slope we saw
the largest American Chestnut sprout ever, a double ~9" dbh tree, somewhat
diseased but in a vigorous healing mode. Lots of fire scars at tree bases This
proposed old growth is probably not old since its trees are seldom more than
12" dbh The slope is very steep and
would be difficult to log and of poor quality trees-probably the explanation.
Continuing on our loop toward the trail we came upon a shallow cove in which
stood a single Black Walnut. Hay Scented Fern, Wild Comfrey were common here
also. After reaching the trail again I took photo #3 of mature forest downslope
showing good site index and defoliation. Farther on we saw in the trail / road
a large type "tiger beetle" perhaps a ground beetle of the genus Colosoma,
more than an inch in length with a purple head, blue pronotum and elytra of
gold red and green iridescent colors contributed to by the refraction of fine
lines on the latter. We saw another of these beetles later, moving rapidly on
the forest floor They may have been
feeding on the Gypsy Moth larvae One of
our final observations was of a blooming Partridge Berry under a Pitch Pine (
photo #4). Regarding resistance to Gypsy Moth defoliation the rank appears to
be Cucumber Magnolia; Tuliptree, White Ash, Virginia Creeper, Black Gum Striped Maple, Sassafras, Red Maple, oaks.
White Pine, in some cases is also hard hit, with almost complete defoliation,
complete for saplings. Even small Pitch Pine are defoliated
The weather was cloudy, threatening rain on the 11th, rained all night
and was rainy and cool on the 12th. The
forest around the swamp consists largely of planted Red Pine, Norway Spruce,
White Pine etc with some natural regrowth of Black Cherry (does well here) Red Maple Red Spruce Hemlock Black Locust, White Pine with understory of Hawthorn. Under these
trees the most abundant ground cover is Rubus hispidus, Lycopodium
flabelliforme, L. obscurum, Maianthemum canadense Partridge Berry Dryopterus spinulosa and intermedia,
Indian Cucumber root, Skunk Cabbage, Gay Wings
Of these Rubus hispidus the Lycopods and M. canadense are
the most common. There is also Hay Scented Fern and some Aronia melanocarpa,
4-leaved Yam. In some places there are dense patches of Goldthread (Photo #4,
June 12) In one place the Goldthread
community consisted of Black Cherry, Hemlock (healthy), Cinnamon Fern, Lycopodium
obscurum, L. digitatum ( flabelliforme) Indian Cucumberroot, Maianthemum canadense,
Red Maple, Service Berry, Aronia melanocarpa, Rubus hispidus, Northern
Red Oak, Carex gracilescens was off to the side. Goldthread frequently
was found on E-facing banks and on elevated soil on tree roots and intergrown
with Rubus hispidus-also Vaccinium angustifoium.
The
swamp itself consists of Central Sphagnum / Cranberry bog with enveloping shrub
swamp, scattered sedge meadows beaver floodings. In places steep banked small
streams flow through these swamps In
places old beaver floodings are marked by extensive stands of dead trees,
mostly Red Maple. Trees are scattered within the swamp and consist of Red
Spruce, Hemlock (Adelgid-free), White and Pitch Pine, Red Maple, Black Cherry
(in dryer areas) Small trees include
Hawthorn, Malus coronaria Mtn Ash
(in bloom), Service Berry (Amelanchier laevis ?). In wet areas the
most common shrub is Speckled Alder followed by Wild Raisin. Aronia
melanocarpa (in bloom) seems omnipresent. Viburnum dentatum is
abundant. There are scattered Nemopanthus mucronatus Sambucus canadensis Ilex verticillata Mtn Laurel and rare Great Rhododendron and
Witchhazel. The most common blueberry is Vaccinium myrtilloides with
some V angustifolium. In dryer areas are the lushest Deer Berry (V
stamineum) bushes (in bloom) I ever saw. Also the V myrtilloides
already had small green berries. In a few places within the brushy sedge
meadows we encountered Cranberry patches, probably V. oxycoccos (?). I
also noted that the Mtn Laurel was just beginning to bloom whereas it had been
blooming for some time in the mountains to the south. No Menziesia Striped or Mtn Maple were seen A few patches of Blackberries were also seen
but don't seem to thrive, perhaps because of the acid conditions. In dryer
areas ground cover is dominated by Rubus hispidus and both Potentilla
canadensis and P simplex appear to occur. Fragaria virginiana was
noted Fire Cherry occurs and one Choke Cherry was seen. Teaberry and Trailing
Arbutus are common. A few plants of Aralia nudicaulis were seen.
Skunk Cabbage is very abundant in moist areas. Gentiana linearis occurs,
as does Polygonum sagittatum, Lycopus sp. In openings Solidago
rugosa is very common and in moister openings S. uliginosa rosettes
but no tall stems. Two species of Cornus present Ferns are quite
abundant with large conspicuous Cinnamon Fern in full "fruit". Also
Interrupted Fern, Sensitive Fern, Hay Scented Fern, a few Thelypteris
simulata and Dryopteris cristata and much Bracken Fern. Spinulose
Shield Fern occurs on forest edges. New York Fern occurs but is not abundant. Hypericum
densiflorum is almost omnipresent. Sedges occur in great variety and
include C. gracilescens, C folliculata (widespread), C.
stricta, C. crinita (common), C. lurida, C. scoparia, C. interior (
photo #2) (widespread ), C. bailey, C. intumescens, C. stipada, C.
rostrata, C. canescens In places there are large patches of Lycopodium
flabelliforme and L, obscurum. L. clavatum occurs. A common grass here
is the rough-stemmed Panicum clandestinum which also occurs along woods
trails. Another is P. dichotomum
Danthonia spicata forms scattered clumps in dryer areas. The
aliens Poa trivialis, Holcus lanatus (Velvet grass) occurs along the
trail near the parking lot. In a few places Rumex acetocella grows like
a native. Juncus effusus occurs as does Eleocharis sp. ; also a Sphagnum
sp., Glyceria striata, Scutellaria lateriflora, Lindernia dubia.
In places there are mats of the moss Polytrichum commune or Sphagnum,
the latter with Drosera rotundifolia (photo #1) Jewel Plant[Jewelweed]
(Impatiens sp) is widespread. Ludwigia palustris and Epilobium
sp Hypericum virginicum. In
one of the small streams we noted a water starwort, Callitriche heterophylla.
In many meadow areas in the swamp there is a dense, blueish[spel.] green grass
(photo #3) we have taken to be a Calamagrostis sp[canadensis] (
Blue Joint). We heard Veeries call frequently and heard Scarlet Tanagers even
out in the open swamp. We heard unidentified warblers and the Common
Yellowthroat. In one place we heard a Mallard Duck and Green Frogs croak.
Beaver dams, lodges and ponds with acres of dead Alders occur. In some places
in what appeared to be quite acid ground we saw large holes and casting of
Crayfish. Photo #5 is a panorama of the
swamp from the NE along the road in Maryland. The mushroom Tricholomopsis
platyphylla appears to be quite common. late note from Robert Carex
lacustris
On a
rainy Monday morning Dottie and I went to the Southern section of the swamp to
see the "Jacobs Ladder" ( Polemonium van-bruntiae[) ], which
here occurs in a 1/8 acre patch (in bloom)
(photos #1,2 and 3 of new film) where it occurs with Black Elderberry,
Skunk Cabbage, Cattail[broad-leaved ], Cinnamon Fern, Solidago rugosa,
Angelica atropurpurea. We then returned to the Nature Conservancy Parking
lot and hiked through the woods toward the Board Walk (photo #4 is of
Goldthread along the way). On the Board Walk took photo #5 of Bladderwort in
bloom (yellow flowers) and a general view of the open bog (photo #6). The
plant community here consists Red Spruce, Larch, Pitch and White Pine,
Hemlock Red Maple, Skunk Cabbage Wild Raisin, Viburnum dentatum Cinnamon Fern, Vaccinium myrtilloides,
Carex folliculata, Vaccinium oxycoccos (?), Sphagnum, Rubus hipidus,
Carex crinita, Hypericum densiflorum, Solidago uliginosa Nemotanthus mucronata,
Leersia sp, Aronia melanocarpa
Cattail (Typha latifolia). This cattail is widely spaced and
not too vigorous appearing in this acid environment A Gray Catbird, Chickadees and a possible
Swamp Sparrow were heard. I couldn't say definitely which Cranberry or both are
present here in the absence of flowers. One place in the swamp was an upwelling
of clear water through the sand like an artesian spring.
Campground
at Garret State Forest (Swallow Falls State Forest) This campground is about
5 miles SE of the Cranesville Nature Coservancy parking lot and bulletin board.
The elevation is a little higher, perhaps between 2600' and 2900 ft. The forest is young (~35-40 yrs), quite
mesic. The dominant trees are White Oak, Black Cherry, Red maple, Northern Red,
Black and Scarlet Oak perhaps in that order. Service Berry Hawthorn and Witch hazel are common. There is
a little Black Birch and Sassafras. No Flowering Dogwood Tuliptree Chestnut
Oak Shrubs include Aronia melanocarpa Wild Raisin, Vaccinium pallidum Rhododendron arborescens, Vaccinium
myrtilloides Herbs include White Clintonia (in bloom), Trailing Arbutus,
Teaberry (both on road bank), Rubus hispidus (the dominant ground
cover), Spring Bluet, Cinnamon and Bracken Ferns, Lycopodium flabelliforme Indian Cucumberroot, 4-leaved Yam, Maianthemum
canadense (very abundant), White Violet ( Blanda-pallida complex)
Potentilla sp. (canadensis/simplex ), Scirpus atrovirens,
Smilax glauca, Hay-scented Fern (common), N.Y. Fern (scattered) Panicum clandestinum, Aster simplex, A.
macrophyllus, A. acuminatus, Ranunculus septentrionalis, Glyceria striata
(managrass[spel.]), Leersia virginica, Monarda clinopodia, Lilium
canadense, Solidago rugosa, Luzula echinata, L. acuminata Oxalis
stricta, Dryopteris intermedia, Oxypolis rigidior, Smilax hispida, Dryopteris
spinulosa, Interrupted Fern, Lycopodium lucidulum, Smilax herbacea,
Gay Wings Solidago caesia, Carex
digitalis Aronia melanocarpa Lycopodium
clavatum Possible Solitary Vireo was
heard
This is
a rich mesic, acid forest of considerable diversity with straight, high site
index trees and substantial undergrowth. It is basically northern hardwood /
Allegheny [forest] in which Black Cherry does well. Except for species such as
White Clintonia its herbs are strongly northern as are its shrubs. In places
along the road this forest has considerable healthy-appearing Hemlock. We saw
one clump of American Chestnut.
List from
Robert H.: Habenaria orbiculata, H. clavellata, H. lacera, Glyceria laxa, G.
canadensis, G. striata, G. melicaria, Carex utriculata (C. rostrata
var utriculata ), C. atlantica, C. folliculata, C. stipata, C.
comosa, C. gynandra, C. normalis C. scoparia, C. gracillima, Scirpus
cyperinus, Juncus articulatus, J. acuminatus (interesting for
vegetative propagation) River Otter
scats, fade-glimpse Garter Snake, Beaver Thelypteris palustris, T. simulata,
Crested Fern, Dryopteris campyloptera, White Beak Rush and Cottongrass[a
sedge] (blooming) Dottie saw a Bog Copper (Lycaena epixanthe) (feeds
on little Cranberry, flower for necter[spel.], plant for larvae). In lower
swamp found many Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) larvae on Silky
Willow.
The
trees in the vicinity of the Campground are Northern Red Oak, White Pine,
Tuliptree, Hemlock (no Adelgid). White Oak, Red and Sugar Maple, Black
Cherry, Black and Yellow Birch, Fraser and Cucunber Magnolias, Black Locust, Tilia
americana Striped Maple, Service
Berry sp. Beech, Sassafras Sourwood, Hawthorn, a few American Chestnut
Sprouts Shrubs are Rhododendron
maximum, Blackberry sp., Mtn Laurel,
Witchhazel, Euonymus americana, Spice Bush, Black Elderberry,
Blackhaw Viburnum, Clethra acuminata. Herbs include Maianthemum canadense Aster divaricatus (very abundant), A
puniceus, A. macrophyllus Christmas
Fern, May Apple, Potentilla sp, a violet with varigated[spel.] leaves,
New York Fern Partridge Berry, Viola
rotundifolia, Dryopteris marginalis, Plume Lily, Prenanthes sp Clintonia sp, Veronica officinalis,
Oxalis stricta, Clear Plant[ Clearweed], Ranunculus recurvatus,
4-leaved Yam Golden Saxifrage (in
spring), Indian Pipe, Cinnamon Fern
Spotted Wintergreen, Fragaria virginiana, Poke, Cardamine
rotundifolia (in spring), Carex intumescens C
baileyi, C. stipata, C. prasina, C. gracilima C. scoparia, Galax,
Jewel Plant[Jewelweed] sp, Lycopus virginicus, Houstonia purpurea,
Lysimachia ciliata, Melampyrum lineare var latifolia (very
vigorous, no leaf lobes) , Panicum lanuginosum, Muhlenbergia schreberi,
Glyceria melicaria, G. striata. Vines include Smilax rotundifolia Vitis aestivalis, Poison Ivy. The
environment here seems quite acid but there are large land snails. Barred Owls
were heard but few other bird calls-at least that were conspicuous and could be
identified. In one place also there were large Crayfish burrows with many
castings and moss "lawns."
The forest along the flat of Comer Creek is similar to that at the
Campground consisting of Northern Red Oak, White Pine White Oak, Black Birch, Hemlock, Sourwood,
Red Maple with a little Sugar Maple, Scarlet Oak, White Ash Tuliptree, Fraser and Cucumber Magnolias,
Pignut seedlings Shrubs include Rhododendron
maximum, Pyrularia pubera Mapleleaf
Viburnum, and unexpectedly Southern Mountain Cranberry. Berries of Pyrularia
pubera are very poisonous Herbs include Oenothera fruticosa (
Narrow-leaved Sundrops), Aster lateriflorus, Fragaria virginica[virginiana?]
Partridge Berry White Violet V. pallens etc Squaw Root, Hay Scented
Fern Indian Cucumberroot, Habenaria
orbiculata Goodyera pubescens, Viola
rotundifolia, Trillium undulatum, Lycopodium flabelliforme Christmas Fern, Galax (in bloom), Aster
divaricatus Indian Pipe, Pink
Ladyslipper, Potentilla sp, Maianthemum canadense, Scutellaria
elliptica, Houstonia purpurea, New York Fern, Habenaria psycodes (
always near springs), Thalictrum clavatum
Turtlehead, Carex
digitalis, Viola palmata, Phlox stolonifera
Panicum boscii, Hog Peanut, Adiantum pedatum, Stellaria
pubera, Viola pensylvanica, Uvularia perfoliata, Viola hastata, Zizia sp.
Vines include Smilax rotundifolia. Fungi included Marasmius spp.
with flexible stems, Ramaria sp (Coral Fungi), Russula sp. Tremellodendron
sp Russula xerampelina, Polyporus elegans,
Hygrophorus marginatus. In these flats we again noted 1.5" land snails
and heard Red-eyed Vireos call. We then beganour climb along Comers Creek
noting Carex laxiflora, Luzula acuminata, Solidago caesia stunted Mayapple, Vitis aestivalis,
Split Gill mushroom on dead oak, Listera smallii and Chloraciboria
or "Green Stain" in wood. Cucumber Magnolia, Hawthorn and Rich
Tuliptree forest perhaps 30-60 yrs old at 3000' asl, Interrupted Fern, Eupatorium
maculatum, Anemone quinquefolia Red
Slime Mold. Here the forest consists of the followingees Tuliptree, Sugar Maple, Fraser and Cucumber
Magnolias, Northern Red Oak, Black Birch, Small Hemlock, Striped Maple. We
noted no White Oak on these slopes. Photo #2 is of another Habenaria psycodes
near a spring. Some of the orchids, which are in full bloom are more than a
meter tall. Continuing the climb we enter an area of somewhat more acid soils
with clumps of Cladonia sp, Spotted Wintergreen, Southern Mtn Cranberry,
Mtn Laurel Lilium michauxii,
Leucobryum sp, Clintonia umbellulata
Sourwood trees (!9" dbh). Gentiana sp. A Scarlet Tanager
was heard. The forest here are Red Maple, Cucumber Magnolia, Sourwood trees,
Northern Red Oak, Fraser Magnolia, Rhododendron maximum, Partridge
Berry Striped Maple, Witchhazel.
Hemlock, Christmas Fern, Sugar Maple, Danthonia compressa is all along
the trail. The forest then appears less acid again as we clime[spel] and we see
Broad Beech Fern. But then we see our first Menziesia pilosa and Black
Gum (small) This [is] followed by
Black Cohosh sp, Sanicula canadensis, Vitis aestivalis, Hieracium
paniculata, Uvularia pudica Zizia aurea,
Small American Chestnut Sprout, fairly large Flowering Dogwoods, long dead (no
living F Dogwood seen), Native Thistle, Lobelia inflata, Galium
latifolium Carex laxiflora,
Dutchmans Pipe Vine, White Ash, Putty Root (in seed), Campanula Americana,
Erechtites hieracifolia, Arabis laevigata, Cimicifuga racemosa Virginia Creeper, Circaea quadrisulcata,
Rubus odoratus Botrychium virginianum.
Here I took photo #3 of the very rocky mountainside with Hemlock. Here also
appeared the first Yellow Birch since leaving the flats, perhaps at~3500' asl.
Here also Aster acuminatus, Tilia americana Ribes cynosbati, a
"rocky woods" species. Virginia Creeper Foam Flower, Trillium
erectum, Rubus canadensis, Viola canadensis, Asarum canadense, a White
Basswood leaf. At this point we reached the vicinity of Comer Creek Falls at
perhaps 3200' asl (?). Here appeared the first Maianthemum canadense
since the Valley flat. Here we noted New York Fern, Sugar Maple, Black Cherry,
Northern Red Oak, Black Birch, Virgins Bower Witchhazel, Solidago rugosa,
Black Locust Blue-eyed Grass Aster
divaricatus Aster lateriflorus, Vitis
aestivalis, Fragaria vesca. On the way down heard Pileated Woodpecker. Note
only Hickory seedlings were seen except for one possible Shagbark
The
forest here is remarkable for the occurrence of northern and mountain
species-Painted Trillium, Maianthemum canadense, Souther Mountain
Cranberry, Habenaria rotundifolia-on the Valley flat, perhaps due to
cold air drainage, there[spel.] disappearance on the slope above and
reappearance-Yellow Birch, Maianthemum canadense Aster acuminatus-farther up near the
falls.
Start at about 4400' asl in rich mesic
northern hardwoods. Trees are Beech, Yellow Buckeye, Sugar Maple, White
Ash, Hawthorn, Striped Maple. Shrubs include Cornus alternifolia,
Blackberries. Herbs include Honewort, Angelica triquinata (very
abundant), Lady Fern Geranium maculatum, Polygonum virginianum, Carex
intumescens, Laportia canadensis, Aster cordifolius Osmorhiza longistylis,
Festuca obtusa, Geum sp, Bottlebrush Grass (very common) Agrimonia sp, Poa alsodes,
Dodder, Plume Lily, Dodder, Smilax herbacea, Dryopteris intermedia, Phacelia
dubia Carex laxiflora, Trillium erectum,
Maianthemum canadense, Arisaema triphyllum, Aster divaricatus Thelypterioides (Silvery athyrium),
Dryopteris goldiana Viola sororia. Now
climbing! Aster acuminatus, first Viburnum alnifolium, Blue
Cohosh, Smilax hispida Ranunculus hispidus, Streptopus roseus (
first seen by me) Veery calls are
common. Continuing climbing we saw Anemone quinquefolia, Circaea alpina
(with tuberous rootstock), Christmas Fern, Dryopteris campyloptera,
Diphylleia cymosa Red Elderberry, Disporum
lanuginosum, Rubus canadensis Carex gracilescens Photo #1 is of huge Diphylleia cymosa Northern
Red Oak, Solidago caesia. At some point along this traverse we exceeded
5000 ft asl and continued along at ~5200' or more roughly along a contour.
Continuing we see Galium triflorum Polygonum pubescens. Large Land Snail, Golden
Ragwort Shining Clubmoss, Oswego Tea, Rhododendron
maximum Turtlehead, Hydrophyllum
virginianum, Veratrum viride, Cardamine pensylvanica, Ranunculus
recurvatus Luzula acuminata, Ramps, First noted Yellow Birch Mud puppy (?). Houstonia serpyllifolia
prostrate and vining stems are widespread in wet areas, mossy rocks etc. Sugar Maple, Beech, heard Veery first noted Mtn Maple, Polypodium
virginianum Cacalia muhlenbergii, Viola
rotundifolia The Mushroom, Mycena leaiana, Juncus tenuous Lilium supurbum, Danthonia compressa, Carex
aestivalis, the first Ilex montana, Hay Scented Fern Carex
pensylvanica, Beech Drops, the Mushroom Tricholomopsis platyphylla,
possible Coyote scat, Thalictrum sp Lobaria pulmoni (?)[
pulmonaria ] a lichen?, Carex bromoides
Collinsonia canadensis, Helianthus decapetala Rudbeckia laciniata, here the first
American Basswood heard Red eyed Vireo, Thalictrum
clavatum, Stary Campion Saxifraga
micranthidifolia in seeps, Dutchmans Pipe Vine Ribes sp, Solidago flexicaulis, Photo
#2 of Phaccelia Very lush Viola
rotundifolia in Sugar Maple forest, Indian Cucumberroot, many Clintonia
borealis large Black (?) Birch, the
first Red Spruce, Skunk Current[spel.] a hairy Eupatorium, Houstonia
serpyllifolia in bloom Baneberry (white) , Galium lanceolatum, here Spruce increaes, there is abundant Clintonia
borealis, Southern Mountain Cranberry, Partridge Berry, Maianthemum
canadense, Buckeye, Maple, Beech, Dryopteris intermedia the first
Mountain Ash, Rubus canadensis, Carex pensylvanica, Aster acumiatus,
Yellow Birch, Trillium undulatum, NY fern, Cinnamon Fern, Menziesia pilosa Late note from Robert Carex digitalis C, laxiflora
C. bromoides C. stipata C. pensylvanica C. aestivalis C. gracillima *Possible elevational shift of acid levels[?}
to less acid habitat Northern Red Oak,
Mole heavings Cucumber Magnolia here at
~5100' asl or more, Black Cherry, Service berry Azalea (?), Yellow Birch
increasing, Photo #3 of large Red Spruce, Oxalis montana in bloom, Slate
Colored Juncos with nest in vicinity, Red Maple, Mountain Holly increasing, Disporum
lanuginoum, very lush Shining Clubmoss, Smilax herbacea,
"Carbon Cushion" ( Ustulina deuesta ?) on Beech (?), May
Apple, Witch hazel 4-leaved Yam, Aster
divaricatus, Yellow Buckeye here all above 5100' asl (?), Carex
brunescens, Maianthemum canadense in bloom at this elevation. Viburnum
alnifolium increases upward in the more mesic areas Also Carex intumescens occurs along
most of the trail Here we flushed a
flock of Ruffed Grouse which flew off. Here at almost 5200' asl occurs May
Apple not far from the edge of the meadow to the west. Aspect along most of the
trail so far has been SE. Habitat has been mostly slightly acidic-mesic
alternating with smaller stretches of more acidic environment with more
Clintonia, Shining Clubmoss, Maianthemum, Partridge Berry etc The
upper part of the trail seems dryer with less lush vegetation, more acid with
less diversity.
At this
point the trail enters the meadow which was white with blossoms of Potentilla
tridentata, some yellow flowers of Potentilla canadensis/simplex?.
Photo #4 is of Potentillas tridentata. Other species are Houstonia
serpyllifolia (in bloom) May have been [H] caerulia, a large alien Hawkweed, Hay Scented Fern,
isolated Choke Cherry trees, shrubby Beech
No Aralia nudicaulis or Panax were seen no Black Birch In some places highly pigmented, orange
Whorled Loosestrife and Aster undulatus cover the meadow. There is also Solidago
rugosa, Fragaria virginica and isolated contorted Hawthorn trees, Grays
Lily (photo #5), Viola sagittata, Solidago hispida Luzula echinata, Luzula multiflora, Aster
laevis Senecio smallii, Solidago juncea, Several small garter snakes fled on
approach and had been sunning themselves Black berries are very common on the
edge of the Red Spruce forest as are Mountain Ash and Red Elderberry. This
meadow does not contain a particularly northern community except for Potentilla
tridentata The road to the top is flanked by these and Golden Ragwort is
roadside ground cover, some is in bloom. Fire Cherry was also noted, as was Ribes
rotundifolia (?). The aspect here is SE to S. The top appears to be pure
Red Spruce forest with some Mtn Ash and Yellow Birch. Ground cover under spruce
is Oxalis montana (no blossoms), Dryopteris spinulosa, Bazzania
trilobata and mosses. Photo #6 is of more open Spruce forest with ferns (
Hay scented ?) ground cover and 16" dbh trees. Photo 37 is of shrubby
Beech on the lower slope adjacent and below the Red Spruce forest. This forest
seemed healthy if a little dry. We saw no Fraser Fir which I assume was on more
NE slopes,[ Does it occur at all on this mountain?] There is a drastic decrease in diversity from
deciduous to pure Spruce forest. No Vitis or Parthenocissus seen
anywhere also no Rhus radicans-or
any Rhus
On late
note from Robert on Whitetop meadow: Festuca rubra Carex tenera, C, normalis
Note no
hickories were seen on this traverse and only one oak, Northern Red Oak
On the highest part of the Parkway near
Thunder Riodge (elevation ~3800') noted Va Creeper of a type climbing up
trees but no Vitis. Also noted Goats Beard in bloom-or false Goats beard
at these high elevations
On the
way followed Rt 42 to Covington and South of Covington for many miles heard and
saw signs of 17 year locusts