Characteristic tree species are:
loblolly pine and shortleaf pine.

Associated tree species on well-drained soils include:
sweetgum, blackgum, southern red oak, post oak, mockernut hickory, and pignut hickory.

Associated tree species on moister soils include:
sweetgum, red maple, water oak, and willow oak.

Associated tree species in fertile, well-drained coves include:
yellow-poplar, American beech, and white ash.

Tree species found in the understory include:
southern red oak, post oak, white oak, dogwood, blackgum, persimmon, hickory, sweetgum, eastern redcedar, black oak, and blackjack oak.

Shrubs and vines in the understory include:
southern bayberry, inkberry, yaupon, mapleleaf viburnum, arrow-wood, green brier, blackberry, Virginia creeper, tree sparkleberry, low blueberry, honeysuckle, French mulberry, yellow jessamine, wild grape, witch-hazel, and sumac.

Herbaceous plants include:
uniola, panicum, sedge, and beard grass.

Openings in the canopy from natural disturbances, such as mortality from southern pine beetles, encourage hardwood species to dominate openings. Pine reproduction rarely becomes established unless planned treatments or natural disturbances, such as severe fires, create large openings and eliminate hardwood trees in the understory. Without removal of the understory, this association will gradually convert to an oak-hickory association.

Forest Health Report Contents