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Oak Slope Woods

Description

Most of the forest is covered by oak woods. They occur on slopes where soils are rocky and well drained. Red Oak is the dominant tree, but many other tree species are found. The shrub layer is well developed, especially where the canopy is open. Spring- and fall-blooming perennials dominate the herb layer.

Selected Plants

Oak woods in the fall

Oak woods in the fall

Trees

Shrubs

Herbs

Mosses

Occurrence

Mixed oak slopes are found throughout Black Rock Forest on moderate slopes. Sites along Continental Road, south of the Stone House, and on the slopes of Black Rock Hill and Mount Misery are easily accessible.

Ecology

Oak woodland with Pennsylvania sedge on ground

Oak woodland with Pennsylvania sedge on ground

Oak woods occur on well-drained slopes. They are common on south-facing slopes, but this may be due to the lack of glacial till deposits on these slopes rather than their exposure to sunlight. Soils are rocky and have only thin organic and mineral layers over the bedrock. Slope sites with deeper and less rocky soils usually have sugar maple woods.

There are very few seedlings and saplings of oak in these woodlands. Predation by insects, small mammals, and deer limit the number of viable acorns and often make it impossible for seedlings to mature. Where seedlings occur they are usually of sugar maple, indicating that these woodlands may be slowly being replaced by sugar maple woodland, especially where the soils retain some moisture.

History

Most of the oak woods in the forest were cleared or severely thinned during the previous century. The trees we see now sprouted from the remaining roots and stumps. Their trunks are usually between 70 and 100 years old. This is young for a forest. The abundance of red maple and black birch in the stands is also a clue that the stands are relatively young. These species need light to germinate and grow and so they cannot reproduce under the canopy of mature forests.

Also Called

Selected References

For general references see the reference page.

Photos: Kerry Barringer