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Hilltop Woods
Description
On hilltops and ridges, in places where there is enough soil to support tree
growth, a sparse, open woodland forms. The trees grow short and twisted by
exposure to the sun and winter winds. The canopy is open but the shrub layer
can be sparse. Grasses and sedges dominate the herb layer.
Selected Plants
Hilltop woods on Hill of Pines
Trees
- Carya glabra (Pignut hickory)
- Quercus alba (White oak)
- Quercus montana (Chestnut oak)
- Pinus rigida (Pitch pine)
Shrubs
- Gaylussacia baccata (Huckleberry)
- Vaccinium pallidum (Early lowbush blueberry)
- Vaccinium angustifolium (Lowbush blueberry)
Herbs
- Carex pensylvanica (Sedge)
- Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen)
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)
- Danthonia spicata (Poverty grass)
Occurrence
Hilltop woodlands occur on all hilltops and along ridges. The best examples are found along Sackett Ridge and on the Hill of Pines on sites that were not logged. Smaller stands can be found on Black Rock Hill, Honey Hill, and Mount Misery.
Ecology
In the summer, these sites can become extremely dry and are vulnerable to fires started by lightning. In winter they are exposed to dry, cold winds that can kill exposed buds. The soils are thin and rocky.
The shrub and herb layers are sparse. They usually have adequate sunlight and in the winter are protected by snow, but the summer dry periods limit their growth.
Also Called
- Eyre(1980):White oak—black oak—northern red oak.
- Reschke (1990): Pitch pine—oak—heath rocky summit; pitch pine—oak forest
- Breden (1989): Dry oak—pine forest
For general references see the reference page.
Photos: Kerry Barringer