Class: Quercus coccinea - Quercus velutina / Sassafras albidum / Vaccinium pallidium Forest (Coastal Oak - Heath Forest) TNC Alliance Code:  I.B.2.N.a.100.   6375 CMI Code:  6375 Type Locator: Restricted to the Floyd Estate

TNC Alliance Description:  The canopy of this vegetation is dominated by Quercus velutina and Q. alba.  Carya tomentosa and Quercus coccinea are common canopy or subcanopy associates. Other canopy associates may include Robinia pseudoacacia, Nyssa sylvatica, Prunus serotina or Pinus rigida. The shrub layer contains Quercus species present in the canopy, especially Q. alba, with Sassafras albidum, Vaccinium corymbosum, and/or Viburnum dentatum occurring locally. Gaylussaccia baccata is often present in the short shrub layer with considerable cover.  Vines, where present, tend to be abundant, especially Smilax rotundifolia.  The herbaceous layer is generally sparse to absent.
 

Photo Interpretation: This type covers a large portion of the William Floyd Estate. It appears on the photography as a tall, forested area with a tan or brown color stippled with shadows from tree trunks oriented all in the same direction. Individual green Pinus rigida is often present but not in high enough proportion to classify as coniferous forest.
 

Aerial Photo Samples:

 

Field Notes:  The most common forest type of the Floyd Estate.  Quercus coccinea, Q. velutina, and Q. alba are the dominant overstory species. Vaccinium corymbosum is a common understory shrub.
 

Ground Photos:

Coastal Oak-Heath Forest

Mature Coastal Oak-Heath Forest

Similar Alliances:

Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina/Myrica pensylvanica/Deschampsia flexuosa Forest (Maritime Post-Oak Forest):  Dominated by Quercus stellata rather than Q. coccinea.

Pinus rigida -Quercus coccinea / Vaccinium pallidum - (Morella pensylvanica) Forest (Pitch pine - Oak Forest): Dominated by Pinus rigida.