Oak-heath forest

An oak-heath forest is a plant community association and type of forest ecology. It is a deciduous forest type of well-drained, acidic soils, characterized by oaks (Quercus) and plants of the heath family, Ericaceae.^[1] It is commonly found in the northeastern United States.^{[citation needed]} Such forest areas typically have a dense fibrous root layer at the surface of the soil, and in many areas predominate on south-facing or southwest-facing slopes.^{[citation needed]} Many of the existing oak-heath forests once featured American chestnut as an important canopy species. ^[2]

Oaks

Oaks (Quercus) characteristic of an oak-heath associations include white oak, Quercus alba; black oak, Quercus velutina; scarlet oak, Quercus coccinea; chestnut oak, Quercus prinus, and red oak, Quercus rubra.^[2][3]

Heaths

Heaths common to this ecology include mountain-laurel, Kalmia latifolia, various blueberries, genus Vaccinium, huckleberries, genus Gaylussacia, sourwood (or sorrel-tree), Oxydendron arboreum, and azaleas and rhododendrons, genus Rhododendron. These are all usually shrubs, except for Oxydendron, which is usually a small tree. There are also heaths that are sub-shrubs, usually trailing on the ground, including teaberry, Gaultheria procumbens and trailing arbutus, Epigaea repens. ^[2][3]

References

1. ^ "Coastal Buffer Zone Planting Guide". Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. August 2008. p. 8. http://www.crmc.ri.gov/coastallandscapes/Coastal_Buffer_Planting_Guide.pdf. Retrieved 2011-2-27. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} The Natural Communities of Virginia Classification of Ecological Community Groups (Version 2.3), Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 2010
3. ^ ^{a b} Schafale, M. P. and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina: third approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation.