Cj. Mikan et al., AGE STRUCTURE AND SUCCESSIONAL DYNAMICS OF A PRESETTLEMENT-ORIGIN CHESTNUT OAK FOREST IN THE PENNSYLVANIA PIEDMONT, Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club, 121(1), 1994, pp. 13-23
This study investigated the community ecology of an old-growth Quercus
prinus L. forest on a dry talus slope in southeastern Pennsylvania. Q
uercus prinus trees up to 367 years in age dominated the canopy layer.
Acer rubrum L., Betula alleghaniensis Britton, Betula lenta L. and Ny
ssa sylvatica Marsh. occupied a small share of canopy space but domina
ted understory positions. Acer rubrum was the only canopy species pres
ent in significant numbers in the sapling layer. Presettlement forests
of the region were dominated by Quercus velutina Lam., Quercus alba L
., Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh. and Carya spp. Following European
settlement, frequent cutting and burning associated with the charcoal
iron industry promoted oak coppice stands during the 19th century and
prevented the development of a shade tolerant understory. Age determin
ations indicated that Q. prinus recruited continuously from 1625 until
1920. However, radial growth analysis indicated that peak recruitment
of both the oak and mixed mesophytic tree species was associated with
past disturbances. Cessation of frequent cutting, reduced occurrence
of fire and the loss of C. dentata facilitated establishment of A. rub
rum, B. lenta and B. alleghaniensis in the understory early this centu
ry. Results of this study indicate the potential for replacement of oa
k by more tolerant species on this and similar dry sites in the northe
rn mid-Atlantic region which are traditionally considered to be physio
graphic or edaphic climaxes.