Ver _Complete file_19920101

f
AREA FQR MADISON AML YANC:EY COUHTIE-'. NORTH CAROLINA
Contracted by Karin Heiman, 1 5
The purpose of this study was to discover significant natural
areas on private lands in Madison and Yancey Mounties. 'The
majority of lands are adjacent to National Forest land. Some are
in proximity to the Appalachian Trail. Two sites, Hear Piney Ball
and Hughes Gap Area, are in Mitchell. The original focus of this
project was to survey private land near the Appalachian Trail. The
lands along the trail through this section turned out to have a
much greater than expected disturbance rate. Areas had been
settled, grazed and.-logged for_many .years. Few sites contained
significant features worth writing up. Therefore, a number of
sites within the counties not associated with the Appalachian Trail
were added. Also, two sites in Mitchell County, associated with
the AT, were included. All of the significant sites were surveyed,
mapped and described on HC Natural Heritage Program Site Survey
forms.
Ten sites were described with forms and maps. In general, the
significance- of many of the sites lies in the rich communities.
Soils are dark, productive and may have a higher nutrient
availability than average mountain soils. Water is generally
plentiful on these mesic sites. The forests have good potential to
recover from historic logging disturbances. The herbaceous later
is generally quite diverse.
Numerous other areas near the Appalachian Trail in Madison and
Yancey Counties were examined but were disturbed and of low quality
and were not considered as sites. The most common disturbances
were logging and grazing. Many areas had also contained homesteads
long ago. Forest communities in these areas were not distinct,
showing a mixture of species that come in after clearing.
Herbaceous composition had also been greatly altered. .
Described below are some examples of areas that were explored,
or attempted for exploration, in Madison County. They are
discussed here so that the information may be utilized when a
comprehensive survey for Madison County is done.
The Spring Creek Trillium Slope was explored in 1965 by Alan
Haney as part of the Buncombe County Natural Areas survey.' The
site was not included in the report because it is' in Madison
County. It has been further documented in the past, such as in the
"Natural Areas Study of the Southern Blue R dge of North Carolina"
(Boufford, Schram, Wickland & Wood, 1974). The area was not
explored during this 1992 survey because' it has been well
documented in the past. However, it is important to include this
location when a Madison County survey is done.
0.

The Big Laurel Creek area is well known. It, as well as
S.tokley Hollow, have been explored botanically numerous times.
Although portions of the area along the creek are heavily disturbed
(there is a house near its confluence with the French Broad River.
Piratebush (Buckleva distichophvlla) and other rare species are
said to occur along this stretch k Alan Smith, personal comm.). I
attempted to do a brief survey of this area by boat, but high water
levels made the survey difficult and dangerous. This area has been
proposed for NHP registry. It should be given attention as to
registry and protection.
The Lemon Gap area was explored in July.. It was found to be
heavily altered by _human.-disturbances._.__The area was ,generally..
south-facing, with a weedy regrowth of trees. The average diameter
was 9". The canopy was dominated by disturbance--related species:
tulip polar and black locust. There are a few other trees: black
cherry and ash, which give a hint of the rich forest which once
existed in this mesic cove. Scattered tangles of blackberries are
present. Herbs include: Impatiens pallida, Phryma leptostachya,
Desmodium sp., Eupatorium purpureum. Viola sororia. sanicle,
enchanter's nightshade, Aster divaricatus. Botrichium virginianum,
Clematis virginiana.
Areas between Lemon Gap and Garrenflo Gap (along the
Appalachian Trail) were explored. Few interesting features were
found. An unusual Scutellaria was found. Many dried specimens
were shown to Alan Weakley, NHP, but we could not determine which
species it was. He assumed that it was not significant.
Just south and east of the AT shelter, near Kale Gap, there is
a slope with a nice Northern Hardwood community. It was dominated
by buckeye, black cherry and sugar maple, with a number of trees
reaching 20 inches in diameter. No -rare species were found. The
area (which was explored in July) likely has a diverse spring
flora. Dominant herbs found included: Rudbeckia laciniata.
Impatiens pallida. Heracleum lanatum, Sedum ternatum. spiderwort,
silvery spleenwort, wood nettle, Campanula americans and Disporum
lanuainosum. Further east of this location, on the eastern side of
Bluff Mountain, is another nice hardwood community on a northeast
slope.
The Southern Dharma Retreat Center is a block of land in
Madison County. The land above the buildings is presently being
managed in a natural state. I have no idea whether rare species
exist here. Contact with owner and manager was attempted. I
talked with a co-manager, Jean, who felt unsure about granting me
permission. I was not able to reach Deb Stein, a land owner living
immediately above the property, or Elizabeth Kent, the founder of
the center. The center phone number is 704-622-7112, in case
future surveyors wish to make contact.
F,
i
u? My
STUDY SITES FOR MADI'ON ANE YANCEY COUNTY SURVEY
Contracted by Karin Heiman, 15y
SITL QUAD k,OUNTY RARE SPECIE' DISTURBANCE
FRESENT LEVEL
Walnut Mountain Bald Creek Yancey yes medium
Big Bald area Bald Creek Yancey no some
Land Trust near Mt Mitchell Yancey no some
Cane River
Sams Gap area Sams Gap Madison yes medium
Hughes Gap area Iron Mtn Mitchell yes fairly high
Mountain Island Spring Creek Madison yes fairly high
Big Rock Spring Lemon Gap Madison yes medium
Near-Piney Ball Unicoi Mitchell no fairly high
Spring Creek Mtn Spring Creek Madison yes variable
Ivy River Dam C1f.Mars Hill Madison yes some
u
STUDY AREAS FOR MADISON AND YANCEY COUNTY SURVEY
(also including Mitchell County)
Contracted by Karin Heiman, 1992
Beech:
sites N h _
ire
Roan High ,? ry = -• ` -
+ v trR aKnab
42: ad
J i' ;. le a rutr a 1 P
Hun P'd
k 3 -`
?(. /•' g;YB d ?r?ve DaY?oc^ m a c.:1 S _ ?+ ?.wr^R
' !?' - _ c tog ? tiJ . , ? . ? •_ -°' Ch u'
RIFen nd Z igb` _-
: J / Q -J h ?t C, ° Kpna i edg8r , intrtl i
i
=6ehi? BtgltAe a 3Swis B n m ?0 Jrlan 40
n - r ?? •E.c_ afd C e. ?. -? i1 A ,?•
of . •bve? / '^% ygoo micavv a i st?af?a?A epees i/
W" B?v0:1,t
Jot
i ? cktffas
L ?a`?.;5! _ yr r e -1 LLL .Oats9
t ; 9 ^^ 11Yalhut ' We nsaeb i ?j? P _ ble
f?? ?i. ersburg.i L141 ars} I
?„? ! M ?°.t;- o. ?_ • ' halt _ `-'?i I i/ ? • '; N • 1< `.
Jo, y`e+ a
r ~., u jite f e s c
ocksville??Paibt?Forjfp{7/? ^- n J"? goer a m ?_. F ® Br:
' . /.v w. tic °-.-??? "'/, v "`i ` _ • '? ?B Cf1?u ? j `• ??' 'd i '--+ -..
r .' c?. R
z,r r" ?' ?" ' weavervA ` ?' tF _ v ns' art n u ichfieldu
- San ymus eiceste1 rt r.
ar - .
?++• ? •L ? 'M/? r Fq Ricevv ?^ RM Fort V rooviderr4 0 - . -
°_° AS L i investon C' ?ayba ffitt nwa6 Yd??22c?
Hill' d s, n .r ()ys villa
C '6tree: ' . ? ?J O ', % ^na°s.,.}? • roc^ Sugar
•'? ?o ? Tc •• i. 1 h ???Mia? ' '? ? ?cv? L Hill ' . -
'3C xn
w to Bilf 6re`! i^ a 'ty ?C
C2 r+orr . ;_. ??µqliar? to? F re f1? Fairvie6 r : ' U h
a °oo i, ng^
InnaJ?ska? -._ r. _ '??.'•, :? ePisaa Mtn"+ r1
' ayoesviUe •1 .a-, aminY: - .a- Skyland rZ : - V y - 'S _ ?lSn d^
- •. !' w an RolYat Pi Ge
18ii?Cv /? oodiro r - ' r, a, Arden » ®ney Lake
Goodtnt#`n! BatCa _ oek T_?rs..` J2 "'y 4? \
' Fl ,?,"?? v w tAga
dc, r?sr°o so ~4 c g, Cr a L.? . tKerloaf v r' o?v '
- ?'• `:^ ?. - ?eqc- ;: ? ."-r! -' ((=?Fru lan a _ / to • n. '?•r;:, °fu? _ ? ??
?N! '?? y ?; /s R aPlea ?' Ede' c / a r
Su' irRn a°rtOndtD?t •= ??rf;'
ell-
kiehian al?:aM(' UVI
G?. -' eililtaj? "'. . H eSho so < ;: $a ur:
./? ;-..'x , ??-:r ?:S` tn;Csz l"" ? _ - tr ' t`3. r r ? , ?_• ,. ? '•?J -
f . ?? Y... ` Fq • 'Ke erso vifl*=y am t ?J °ys` 1 `G. 9XDntle'
Etbwa ° Sara r?„ =? Mt \ a Ills
F Q - - B "tyre' _ a e r?? c -- rin "a o if
V arrcekow
f` r et _
rc E Fiat al: ^ :i °Q•
t at W.ck
V. PisSah Fore t ` C ;' 1 s - vs?\(Or`tt•`' S#?dY t - t arris
+ v Balsam , Llttl River. CChimtSus ? e? Ha
en.
Grave' J BreVa . Y ?•C?- .?;1Fefitalla:+ ;' reek
03
t
SIT SURVEY REPORT Date: /"j _q?
- N. r,. Natural Heritage Program, Quad Name:
P.O. Box 27687 / Raleigh NC 27611 County: 114 a-abj ay.
Name of Site : 13 L Cr 3ra'L D ky b-
Surveyors
Location} & Directions: ,

V v
Size: Province:
Owners and address:
tershed•
A^.
J
Owner contacted & attitude:z 42 1,
c•tiI-jQA
?,?. GRs''c
General Landscape Description:
V
?IV Cq-77V-
Physical Description:
Aspect: Slope: Topog. Position: Hydrology:
errestrial
L
-
? Moisture: .
inundated
N
E flat
-0-5 crest
L tr slope
pper I
-
_palustrine -
-freq. flooded
-' S 10 j1xdd_slope -estuarine -saturated
_ W -?-35 _
-lower slope _riverine seasonally wet
erist (mesic)
flat 35 + upland flat _lacustrine V
_?t1 _vertical -
- alluvial flat _subterranean _dry (xeric)
Elevation , X1308 -??
Geology:
Soils (series if known, correlated with Natural Commanities, p.2, if possible):

Comments n Ph sic 1 Description: 11
SQ- ,..?11 „ ?'f e ,
,Q cUUr s CAJ--
1

Biological Description:
Natural Communities. List communities and for each describe:
A) vegetation structure,
B) dominants-& important spp. by strata,
C) position in landscape & relation to other communities,
D) quality & condition-,
E) size '
OVY t
41
/VU^AOv4- aj?
IJH
LA)

q:L
2

Special Status Species present (attach forms):
Potential for the S eci 1 Status pecies:
?CrL?
other noteworthy species or features present:
Site Integrity: .igh ood -fair moor
Average DBH of canopy trees: 16 . 2Q
Maximum DBH of canopy trees: 42
Y
Fire regime (natural, suppression, date of most recent, a c.
?logged (when, describe): "Ila? '4'? 4z ,
even-aged canopy (successional stand from pasture or clearcut)
non-native or weedy spp. present (list and describe):
-ditched/drained (describe):
-stream channelized
-dredging/filling
_understory cleared
-grazing
_ORV damage (describe):
other (describe):
Adjacent land use (describe): 1
w J
1V zt?- c
4?4
V .I
3

Significance of site: (high quality and/or rare communities, rare spp., etc.):
Discussion: -national
-state
regional
Al adGi? L-cbunty
r-- ? + ,
_ AAA,
i
r?
Protection CCoon A rations anc? Management Need?iscuss recommended
protection for natural area, and management needed to maintain or "improve
quality of site, such as fire, ORV exclusion, fencing, blocking drainage, etc.)
Documentation
Survey Aodar3'.es (describe why your survpped heft redid
own ?.c
Priority for further survey (why, for what, at what season):
&Q?
Specimens collected (plants, animals, soil, rock - of what and state
repository):
Photographs (of what): _
others knowledgeable about site: /??
V TOPO MAP ATTACHED
IV?p
_Sketch of site or part of site attached (as nee ed or appropriate, to show
access, rare spp., relative positions of communities, etc., particularly.if
cannot be well"-portrayed on attached topo map).
4
PLANT SPECIES LIST
Code species by community in which they occur. VMedium
How thorough is this list? nearly complete casual
CANOPY:
7.fu'?iY1?1'C?
SUBCANOPY:
SHRUBS:
a?vVV 1?a??iwe?
5
A? SPECIE
HERBS: I
I
II
.
nA, w
--rag
I - ?A-
F
? A3
S LIST (page 2)
HERBS:
NONVASCULARS:

NOTES ON ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT
List animals present, evidence (sighting or other), breeding?, etc. (attach
separate list if needed):

6
I Ylli
0 1000 1000 1000 4000 fiiT
1 KIIOYiTi11 BIG BALD N
Bald Creek Quad
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET --- -- - --- - - - ------
Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992
Owner and address: T
uu A
Owner contacted & attitude: nrn'
General Landscape Description:
rre.,
.^,t 0 C,et.?w L4
Physical Description:
Aspect: Slope: Topog. Position: Hydrofogy: Moisture:
_ N flat -crestterrestrial inundated
E _1,p.-5 supper slope _palustrine -freq. flooded
S -•rf=10 _id slope -estuarine -saturated
- W 1.?ro-35 -lower slope _riverine _seasonally wet
_ flat l/5 + -upland flat _lacustrine J?Inoist (mesic)
_,.Zall vertical - alluvial flat subterranean -dry (xeric)
NE fild'L ,
Elevatiion: 00,^-UA0A ?, •' - ,,,?,,,,?A Q //
Geology:
[cvvd"
rU?. ?+-ev?'a- . Vv
Soils (series if known, correlated with Natural communities, p.2, if possible):
Comments on Physical Description:

v
S E SURVEY REPORT Date : NIO? ?U°? l ??9??/?-
- N,r, Natural Heritage Program Quad Name. Tewnov% P.O. Box 27687 / Raleigh NC 27611 County: M a iCoy1
Biological Description:
Natural Communities. List communities and for each describe:
A) vegetation structure,
B) dominants & important spp. by strata,
C) position in landscape & relation to other communities,
D) quality & condition,
E) size

r
{

V,L?.0 Vqtr
XLLXZ n a ? Wis'
?4f)-. jiad- wk aJ, (aek
f kw,
2

Special Status Species present (attach forms):
D;Plazkuw+ ,-/ c ho caVPon
??'"? w?actr o PhYllu Wl
y P
.to vr uw? ?maculAtom
0 0,-C v?%A?ue-'OIILOS
Potential for other S ecial Status Species: ,
pot'O'mt,"i .64 9

other noteworthy species or features present:
t CST ti a
Site Integrity: -high l/good -fair __poor
Average DBH of canopy trees:
Maximum DBH of canopy trees:
Fire regime (natural, suppression, date o most r cent, etc.):
, -, OIL -
logged (when, describe): kc?lk
even-aged canopy (successional stand from pasture or clearcut)
non-native or weedy spp. present (list and describe):
ditched/drained (describe):
stream channelized
_dredging/filling
_understory cleared
_grazing
_ORV damage ( des): 6j
?--other (describe
Adjacent land use (describe):
ma

3
c .
Significance of site: (high quality and/or rare communities, rare spp., etc.):
Discussion: 4&?U? -national
0001,0?? '::;It'Oa -state
,?,,
look ;dA-? 4,
C t ,?egional
-county VIA- V
Protection Considerations and Management Needs: (discuss recommended
protection for natural area, and management needed to maintain or improve
quality of site, such as fire, ORV exclusion, fen ing, blocking drainage, etc.)
e7> 'E?I UsFs
ag-
Documentation
SurveX bound 'es ( e tribe why}' your survey s opped where it did)
Il n o. ZA
Priority for further survey (why, for what, at what season):
?) 04j?
Specimens collected (Plants animals soil, rock - of what and state
repository) : No
Photographs (of what):[ 8
Others knowled,
yyJV WMTVV-
TOPO MAP AT(TACd6
-Sketch of site or part of site attached (as needed or appropriate, to show
access, rare spp., relative positions of communities, etc., particularly.if
cannot be well-portrayed on attached topo map).
4

PLANT SPECIES LIST
Code species by community in.which they occur.
How thorough is this list? _nearly complete tedium _casual
CANOPY:
SUBCANOPY:
SHRUBS:
VINES:
V' (A , 't,
5 -
PLANT SPECIES LIST (page 2)
HERBS:
Y ?lk"t/I,ac„w?
?A,11o?tlAe, (l?aacw??
U

HERBS:
NONVASCULARS:
NOTES ON ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT
List animals present, evidence (sighting or other), breeding?, etc. (attach
separate list if needed):
6
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET ---- --? "-"
Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992
Yllf
Al-
o ,,,, :ooo Joao .OOO fffT=VVVII?y BIG ROCK SPRING KIIOMiTfll ?,.? I r;Yatti ?+?*? Lemon Gap Quad
1
DISPORUM MACULATUM 038
! NODDING MANDARIN
08/31/94
EOCODE: PML3L0P30*038*NC IDENT: Y FONUM: ELEMENT RANKS: GRANK: G3G4 SRANK: S2
COUNTYCODE: NCMADI
SITENAME: SITECODE:
SURVEYSITE: BIG ROCK SPRING PRECISION: S WATERSHED: 06010105
LAT: 355059H S: E: QUADNAME: QUADCODE: MARGNUM: DOTNUM
LONG: 0825356W N: W: LEMON GAP 3508278 3
DIRECTIONS: BELOW BIG ROCK SPRING ON APPALACHIAN TRAIL; AT STUDY SITE #37 (HEIMAN 1992).
STATUS:
SURVEYDATE: 1992-07 LASTOBS: 1992-07 FIRSTOBS: 1992-07 EORANK: E EORANKDATE: 1992-07
EORANKCOM:
EODATA: 10-50 PLANTS OVER 10-100 SQM, IN LEAF, FLOWER & FRUIT IN JULY 1992 (HEIMAN 1992).
DESCRIPTION: ..: .... _ _ ... . _ ._ _ .
GENDESC: RICH; ACIDIC COVE GRADING INTO OAK COMMUNITY; MESIC FOREST NORTHEAST-FACING SLOPE; WITH SANICULA CAN., PANAX QUINQ.,
BASSWOOD, BUCKEYE, LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA, QUERCUS RUBRA (1992).
ELEV: 3200 - 3400 SIZE: SIZE COMMENT:
PROTECTION AND OWNERSHIP:
MACODE: MANAME: CONTAINED:
M.USNCHP*14 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST - FRENCH BROAD RANGER DISTRICT
MORELAND: MOREPROT: MOREMGMT: TNCINVOLVE:
MGMTCOM:
PROTCOM
OWNER: USFS-PISGAH NF
OWNERCOM:
OWNERINFO:
COMMENTS:
OPTIONAL FIELDS:
SPECSTAT:
SURVEY: R
GEOMORPH: BUN GEOL:
SOIL:
ELEMENTSPP:
DOCUMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE: DATASENS:
BESTSOURCE: K.HEIMAN (USFS), JULY 1992 (FIELD SURVEY, FORM).
SPECIMENS:
TRANSCRIBR: 94-08-31 MJR MAPPER: 94-07-27 MJR EDITION: 94-08-31
BOUNDARIES: AERIAL PHOTO#:
EDAUTHOR: RUSSO CHANGE.DATE: 94-08-31
a.
5-L'17 '
FIELD SURVEY - ENDANGERED AND RARE PLANTS Date:_ q cl;_
Index Cole
_ _
Occurrence__43$_!? _
,?? Uwl GZCu VvI - --- Quad Name L? 1"?'--
Species:_ ----- - f. Q Quad Code___ !E '1
U ----- -----,-----
Site name/Location:
------ -Z--- - ---- - - -- - --------------------- 1-.j?----+-----
Countys ---------------
--- - -- ------
------- _ - _ 7--------------------. --
Reporter (s) :-- air=ti"=- ------------------------ Phone: (-?dy)
Address:
Plant found? Yes _?-/No__ If not, why?.................
-------------------=-------- -- -------- Search time:
_7'a ----
. _--_.._. p4pIILbTiQN ??BgA?TE1?I?T1Q&
Phenology # Indiv. Population Area Evid. Repro.
dormant 1-18 __lmi S?fruit
.I/_reaf 11-50 3.-5m% --seeds
--bud __51-100 A5-10m1 --seedlings
j,-flower __101-500 Y-100m1 41vegetative
j.Cfruit __501-1000 __100mk-1 ha
__1000+ __1 ha +
Definition of individual:__LS_________ Spacing:_________
-----------
ow was # individuals determined:
Comments and/or comparison w/last visit?_________________
---------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$$$ W C56UCTEBISTICS
Elevation3_?oQ3_q4Qft........ m.
Aspect:-N- Slope(degrees) :_10___
Topographic Micro-relief:
position:
crest
per sl.
id s1.
--lower sl.
--upland
fl
t ?,J f
a
Light: Hydrology:
open L eerrestrial
],.efiltered __palustrine
--shade --estuarine
__riverine
__lacustrine
Moisture
--inundated
_saturated
&•dmoist
__dry
--seasonally
saturated
---alluvial
General description of site:------- ---------- --------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural Community/Plant Community name:_ _ F- :_ -
-----------------
.01
-----------------------------
------------
co JZ?..
Associated species: ba,o-???
sQ?tikw-? w-
35- o o l ow
1 - gL53 3 a
Any observations on soils/geology:__e_-1,6?L - - - -
Quality & Integrity of community/habitat .(successional status, etc.)s
_ ___________________________________________________________----___
THEME -
Disturbance/Threat Evidence:-- ___
----------------------------------------------- -- -------------------
--------------------- ----------------------------------------•
Potential Threa-ts:___ _
------------------------ -- ----------------------------------------•
QQEEE$YBTIQUZURMENT NEEDS
Do you think the vigor of the population is declining?
What specific management techniques are needed to sustain or improve the
quality of this occurrence?
Would you recommend further investigations here or immediate protection
efforts? ------------------------------------------------ ------
Please draw below a sketch of the site, with rare species location
clearly marked, scale and compass directions indicated, and proximity to
prominent features included. Also attach copy of topo. or county road
map indicating exact location of population.
Ownership information attached,?--Yes ? _No Uf ) .
Specimens collected? __Yes V__No Collector's Name: -------------- #:______
Repository:----
Please send this form to either of the agencies below:
N.C. Natural Heritage Program N.C. Plant Conservation Program
DNRCD, Div. Parks & Recreation N.C. Dept. of Agrigulture
P.O. Box 27687 P.O. Box 27647
Raleigh, NC 27611 Raleigh, NC 27611

CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET -- - -
Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992
0 ,a00 ,eoo ,,,, 000iffT?OfHh,(LQry BIG ROCK SPRING N?
t,w?araa ?? S prlVA 1Q?d 1 =men" n=T, 011=H

HYDROPHYLLUM MACROPHYLLUM 002
LARGELEAF WATERLEAF
08/31/94
EOCODE: POHYD08050*002*NC IDENT: Y FONUM: ELEMENT RANKS: GRANK: G5 SRANK: S1S2
COUNTYCODE: NCMADI
SITENAME: SITECODE:
SURVEY81TE: BIG ROCK SPRING PRECISION: S WATERSHED: 06010105
LAT: 355059N S: E: QUADNAME: QUADCODE: MARGNUM: DOTNUM:
LONG,: 0825356W N: W. LEMON GAP 3508278 x
DIRECTIONS: BELOW BIG ROCK SPRING ON APPALACHIAN TRAIL (HEIMAN 1992).
STATUS:
SURVEYDATE: 1992-07 LASTOBS: 1992-07 FIRSTOBS: 1992-07 EORANK: E EORANKDATE: 1992-07
EORANKCOM:
EODATA: NO INFORMATION.
DESCRIPTION:. .. _.:.
GENDESC: RICH, ACIDIC COVE GRADING INTO OAK COMMUNITY; MESIC FOREST NORTHEAST-FACING SLOPE; WITH SANICULA CAN., PANAX QUINQ.,
BASSWOOD, BUCKEYE, LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA, QUERCUS RUBRA (1992).
ELEV: 3200 - 3400 SIZE: SIZE COMMENT:
PROTECTION AND OWNERSHIP:
MACODE: MANAME: CONTAINED:
M.USNCHP*14 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST - FRENCH BROAD RANGER DISTRICT
MORELAND: MOREPROT: MOREMGMT: TNCINVOLVE:
MGMTCOM:
PROTCOM:
OWNER: USFS-PISGAH NF OWNERINFO:
OWNERCOM:
COMMENTS:
OPTIONAL FIELDS:
GEOMORPH: BUN GEOI: SPECSTAT: SURVEY: R
SOIL:
ELEMENTSPP:
DOCUMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE: DATASENS:
BESTSOURCE: K.HEIMAN (USFS), JULY 1992 (FIELD SURVEY, FORM).
SPECIMENS:
TRANSCRIBR: 94-08-31 MJR MAPPER: 94-07-27 MJR EDITION: 94-08-31
BOUNDARIES: AERIAL PHOTO#:
EDAUTHOR: RUSSO CHANGE.DATE: 94-08-31
\.....'1..:.:'-• L ? ' --' t\ r=?. .: I ....r/. `. ??.1 ?.r?J: •-... r...\:. ... L.L'?./, Lc!-?i.?,./. ..., .... w.. i:... ?. _ ...n.- .c= r ..-?.n -r". ._ ._ _

"Ifl ell
Panax quinquefolius
p zium py tarpon
cno'y
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k t^
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- ,°l:-•Hydrophyllum macrop? m
Disporum maculatum
r?i° iI i'% !;r ?? !r %?/f (ri.• . Ji;? ;? !i /??//^.t?1?„ •? • 1 ,\ ?\\ V
a-• :Ir ?%. ,lie! ? ` ?1' 1 (t V {O? ?. 71 i ;/- i •,?? t t' .?. ? "l ? ^ .?.J
? •, ?• ••'O?''! t ''1 • ' r`? ? ?t? ?'?•? 1 ??/,• I l r. ?' •???g? i ?rf ?5 ?I ?
Atl?
o t
,?/. ?.>. " ••` ! i?-,.?? 'r /".?• !?„ '\ 1?,.}rr •' '100 ,i?
t ,ti .':'?•: ?1Vi ??e ?ifi }/ j i! ?I?; :Y•1 1?r/i• 'i?'y ? ? •i .
?.• tii',. \''? `•" ?? i 1; •1•?+.,;r r!r! :? id l., jii't }t,. i
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lLfIT
? '• ; 1 . 1 r1 •• .`' \Oaa•_??.'' `\?? r I LT r . C!,? ?? s.? ?? ::fem.: , . r? !?
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1, , ?lt-s
l?r?` J1? SOS ' ? ..Ji?.`1?•' ?!/' , I l' - l t _ _ 1tt ?.?1 - ? ? _ ' ? ?? ?
! 1

- - - CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET
MrL[ Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992
0 ,oao :ooo aooo •ooo st?T+'•1??lfy BIG ROCK SPRING N?
__ ___ t KILO Mf Tirl ?. wr?...L ?a._I . .? .•.• e
r
1
.

sil! S?VEY REPORT ,Date-
- N. IC. Natural Heritage Program, Quad Name: -71-1/2 ljo
P.O. Box 27687 / Raleigh NC 27611 County:
Name of Site•
Surveyors-
Location & i
i

?t-
General Landscape Description:
a-1 ?. .
tl-
r4vvy
Physical Description:
Aspect: Slope: Topog. Position: Hyurology: Moisture:
N flat crest -terrestrial -inundated
E 0-5 _upper slope __palustrine _ireq. flooded
_
S _
5-10 mid slope -estuarine -saturated
W _
10-35 -
lower slope riverine -seasonally wet
_
flat _
35 + -
upland flat lacustrine -moist (mesic)
all vertical -
alluvial flat subterranean _dry (xeric)
Elevation:
Geology- i /= _. _.. _ ,....•
Soils (series if known, correlated with Natural Communities, p.2, if possible):
r /
Commen s on Physical Descripti n:
1
Owner contacted & attitude: -

Biological Description: --
t t.
Natural Communities. List communities and for each describe:
A) vegetation structure,
B) dominants & important spp. by strata,
C) position in landscape & relation to other communities,
D) quality & condition,
E) size
y?
/M?

JL
J
aka, a4-C-
V
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sa-.

?ax uv?
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?tr vw ar e-a.?.c?n? c./tA- AZa.
&/. s4d&o-
?4yr--C?.
lUdkAJj
a?.trQA-?iv
Lie

Special Status Species present (attach forms):
Potential for other Special Status Species:
04.01 . JAA?-a -
other noteworthy species or features present:
V 0
Site Integrity: -high t?eod -fair ___poor
Average DBH of canopy ees: AAi"
-fin ra.?iF? 7- 10"d h
Maximum DBH of anopy tr es: e?
Am.OL?
Fire regime,((ntaattuural, suppression, date f most ecent, etc.
1 %
togged (when, describe): , ' #
- o?(
?
-even-aged ca p (success onal stand from pa?ure or clearcut)
non-native or weedy spp. present (list and describe):
ditched/drained escribe):
-stream channelized
-dredging/filling
_understory cleared
-grazing
ORV -6thdamage (describe): ?ter (describe)-
Ad a Wc jent land use (describe):(itA4'"
3
.4
Significance of site: (high quality and/or rare communities, rare spp., etc.):
44 -Ql
Discussion:
outa.. UAU?
VV
4
j-L4vxp--.Q,-
national
state
regional
-county

Protection Considerations and Management Needs: (discuss recommended
protection for natural area, and management needed to maintain or improve
quality of site, such as ire, ORV exclu ion, fencing, blocking drainage, etc.)
L..
kAt&
ate- i?Lf--t-AWLQ_, 4 arvz, -
Documentation
survey boundaries (describe why your survey stopped where it did):
,? S 1a?- ? . Goo
Priority for further sur (why, f what, at what season):
?? ?. Gtr
Specimens collected (plants, an' ls, s rock -osf wVhIa't and state
repos itor ' /In
Photographs (o what): C435-.
Others kno ledgeable about site
L.,,TOPO MAP ATTACHED
LIm Sketch of site or part of site attache (as needed or appropriate, to show
access, rare spp., relative positions of communities, etc., particularly.if
cannot be well-portrayed on attached topo map).

PLANT SPECIES LIST
Code species by community in which they occur.
How thorough is this list? _nearly complete medium casual
CANOPY:
CL V-dA?
SUBCANOPY:
• c.l9.Wu? n.c?
I SHRUBS:
.?- - ?.
• a"'
I A'
"y P
i ..
i
I
I
I
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I
I
I
I
I
I
I
i
I
I
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i
I VINES:
I
I ? w
ILA
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
i
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I
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I
5

PLANT SPECIES LIST (page 2)
HERBSe
s
P
41A? CKA--%
HERBS:
?i4 P '
NONVASCULARS:
NOTES ON ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT
List animals present, evidence (sighting or other), breeding?, etc.
separate list if needed):
, -, A C' W* W,- t 2'
(attach
6
? °?st? .s;: ? :° ? .,l• ????• ???.,,•? ? G ter. • ?S.
S72 - • • ;/'
.. i
fit
reT
IZ3
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h 7.
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• :4
0 -7
? L 0 ? Q.J. ? • • _ ' w? / Y? ? ' • ?1 : j
Lz-
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET
_ Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992
t Y.ti
° '°°° 2000 3000 `°°° "'T - IVY RIVER DAM CLIFFS
- 4-1-= bauAJAr -4 AP
FIELD SURVEY - ENDANGERED AND RARE PLANTS
Species:-B. name/ ocation

Date:-
Index Code------ -------
Occurrence - 1 Quad Name__
,Quad Code-
------------------------ -----------_• vv.aaaa.l i?.?CriiL1C??
Reporter(s):_l
-- ---- --------------------- Phone: rlQ?-fig -?'"7
Address:
Plant found? YesL1---No__ If not, why?____________________
--------------------=------- ----------- Search time:-- ----
_ EQPIIL?TI4N Q8?8??TBPIBTIQ?
Phenology # I iv. Population Area Evid. Repro.
--dormant 0 a __1mL --fruit
i.,af __11-50
-5m --seeds
__bud __51-100 __5-10m1 seedlings
--flower __101-500 __10-100m1 ?vgg?tative
--fruit __501-1000 __100mx-1 ha
1000+ __1 ha +
Definition of individual:_
-- - ---------- Spacing:--------------------
How was # individuals determined.__________ --------- # -___________
Co?'= `-rid/or com ris ?ast_visit?__
•
?A--=?----- --- -- ------------J
----------------- ------------------- --------------------------------
BANTU QB MTBBI5TIQB
Elevation_L.,7.Q!_ft-------- m.
Topographic
position:
--crest
--upper sl.
._mi? sl.
_ ower sl.
Micro-relief:
-- u
-- n
Aspect:_? Slope (degrees) : 7
Ligh : Bydrology: Moisture
en L.._-terrestrial --inundated
filtered __palustrine
--shade --estuarine --saturated
--moist
__riverine
lacustri
- ne --seasonally
--upland saturated
flat J
--alluvial
General es iption of sit ---- --------------
rrrrrrrrrrr._r__rr- _ rrrrrrrrrrr_ r rrrr T rrrr- .rrrr..
Natural Community/Plant Community name:__ L-="A 27 ____
----------------------------------------------- ---
Associated species:
Q om.
Any o atio s o soils/geology:_ _ _ _- t----------ft -- _
Qu ity & nte=co unity/habitat (successional atus, etc.):
------ r"= - =- =h -- --------------------
TS8E8TS kay - ----
Di urban e/ at Ev' ence:__ = - -------- g- -----
--s - - -----
Po ----------------
r_rr__ rr r__r_rr_ ? _rr rr rrr_rr r_rr_rrrrr T ii;l?
tential_Threats r :--
---
-------------------------- 6L ---------------------------------------•
QQU698Y8T1QVUH89380T NEEDS
Do you think.the vigor of the population is declining? f?
What specific management techniques are needed to sustain or improve the
quality of this occurrence?
Would you recommend further investigations here or immediate protection
efforts?
----------------- --- --= - --- ----- ---------------------
------- -?- -------------- ------ ----------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------r----_rrr---------------r--_------
------------------------------------------------ - -----------------------
------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
---------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -.- - -
_ _ _ - r - r - - - - - - _ - - - r - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - r _ r _ r _ -rr _ _ _ r r r r - r _ _ r r - -- -- r---r--•
Please draw below a sketch of the site, with rare species location
clearly marked, scale and compass directions indicated, and proximity to
prominent features included. Also attach copy of topo. or county road
map indicating exact location of population.
04?
jar

r
ePds?
ownership information a ,A-ached?--Yes ?o
_Yes collector Is Name: -------------- #______
Specimens coll c d?
S Repository:---------------------------------------
Please send this form to either of the agencies below:
N.C. Natural Heritage Program N.C. Plant Conservation Program
DNRCD, Div. Parks & Recreation N.C. Dept. of Agrigulture
P.O. Box 27687 P.O. Box 27647
Raleigh, NC 27611 Raleigh, NC 27611
2
c _> f;J/jam. `• rP1P0 jr j .
L r 1 V _ j ,? _
4
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hiteo 1576
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ice` • ` ? , ? ? ? .3?
i•e o • i i.? ?
? ? ? • . ""., Pao - ? , ?'?'r
r
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET -
Madison/Yancey County Study, 3992
• -' t MIL°
I
° 10O° S;Go 7000 ,O°° "`T
--.°ii° +1-= bourJAr y IVY RIVER DAM CLIFFS
SITE SURVEY REPORT Date• •Name:1
N_r• Natural Heritage Program* Quad
P.O. Box 27687 / Raleigh NC 27611 County:
Name of Site: Surveyors:
Location, & Dir ctions: -
Size: Province:
Owners and address:
Watershed:
1 '
owner contacted & attitude: --
f-
General Landscape Descri do
N c . .. f'-
?
Physical Description:
Aspect: sl Topog. Position:
N a crest
-' E 0-5 tipper slope
_ S 5-10 ?id slope
W 10-35 -lower slope
_ flat 35 + -upland flat
_yall -vertical _alluvial flat
e(tl Elevation: 3?0' 100-
5) Geology:
Hydrology:
terrestrial
___palustrine
estuarine
riverine
lacustrine
-subterranean
Moisture:
-inundated
-freq. flooded
-saturated
-seasonally wet
%,.. Oist (mesic)
-dry (xeric)
Soils'' (series if known, correlated with Natural Communities, p.2, if possible):
Ot?1J?I rv--A?' . - .
,^ , ,'' Comments on Physical Description:

Biol? al Description:
Natural Communities. List communities and for each describe:
A) vegetation structure,
B) dominants & important spp. by strata,
C) position in landscape & relation to other communities,
D) quality & condition,
E) size
ct-
-44

c
a° ?D4
2

SpecialIStat us Species present (attach forms):
l V ,
Potential for other Special Status Species:
Other noteworthy species or features present:
Site Integrity: high -good -fair moor
Average DBH of canopy trees:
Maximum DBH of canopy trees:
Fire regime ( at ral, supDr ssi date of most recent, etc.):
+ L--r gged (when, describe): ( .
even-aged canopy (successional stand from pasture or clearcut)
non-native or weedy spp. present (list and describe):
_ditched/drained (describe):
-stream channelized
dredging/filling
,--grazing ()VV'o?l!'?cxx;-A _ F_""/L??
azin ?
ORV damage (describe):
other (describe):
Adjacent land use (describe):
3

significance of site: (high quality and rare communities, rare spp., etc.):
-national
Discussion: C ,(Lc .2 V A-w n ?I w/G?l, state
:ftv GU Vi?egional
?• U'?Q?- ??• county
Protection Considerations and Management Needs: (discuss recommended
protection for natural area, and management needed to maintain or improve
quality of site, such as fire, ORV exclusion, fencing, blocking drainage, etc.)
CO2 NHP
Documentation
Survey Dound ies (descr a why you ,surve stoppe where it did)=
Priority for further survey (why, for what, at what season):
Specimens collected (plants, animals, soil, rock - of what and state
repcsitory):
Photographs (of what):
Others knowledgeable about site: ??jr?--?4-U5 C-jvw- /'i'7
TOPO MAP ATTACHED S /VOV?VW ?P I Iq? oL
Sketch of site or parc of site attached (as needed or appropriate,. to sow
access,.rare spp., relative positions of communities, etc., particularly.if
cannot be well-portrayed on attached topo map).
4
-A
PLANT SPECIES LIST
Code species by com Unity in why they occur.
How thorough is this list? -nearly complete medium casual
CANOPY:
I
I
.I
I
I
I
I
SUBCANOPY:
i
=tC442%?
I
f I
I SHRUBS:

VINES:

5

.y V 'L -(-
PLANT SPECIES LIST (page 2) ?
HERBS ; I
?.
_ I
I
?C
I
I
I
I
I
'I
I
?fJ?.• ? I
?LZ.e . I
I
I
NI f - I
HERBS:
'????? i
V LA - . ' .
A JA -J%1
.s
NONVASCULARS:
NOTES ON ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT
List animals present, evidence (sighting or other), breeding?, etc. (attach
separate list if needed):

IWL? & dz1ff
?w

' CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEEL' ? : ?-? ---- - - -- -- - •. ---- --- -? - ---
Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992'
' Y1" -1=bou??deur?
c +eoo :aoo 3ooo .ava ...T -.- SAMS GAP AREA
1 41lOUi7611 Gone ttC '- , ?AYV
FIELD SURVEY - ENDANGERED AND RARE PLANTS
Species:---- -- --- - ---- ---- ----------
Sit name/ ocatio
Date: 0 Q __ ` 2 ----
Index! . d
--------------
Occurrence-,,----
Quad Quad Name-=r_----
Quad Code_
s r- 92-e?
? County: _
Reporter (s) : __ ?? ?''"'` -------------------------- Phone: Sk
Address: ______________------_ _____
-------------------------------------
___
Plant found? Yes)- No__ If not, Why?.............
----------------------------------------- Search time_:--??----------
EQPUL8TI4N Q8888QTE8S&TIQ?
Phenology # Indiv. Population Area Evid. Repro.
_dormant __1-10 __lms
1
S
s --fruit
d
_ eaf _?-50 -
m
__ --see
s
__bud 1-100 __5-10m1 --seedlings
,l,,flower __101-500 __1H-1B0mZ _L_-vegetative
-.fruit __501-1000 __;AOm2--1 ha
1800+ J?1 ha +
A
-A
,??Pr1Mi9--
Definition of individual: __? g!- patcing:____________________
How was # individuals determined:_______________________________________
Comments and/or comparison w/last visit?________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8851M Q ?B? BISTIQS
Elevation Qd= ft._______m.
Topographic Micro-relief:
position: __
--crest __ ^ ^ r%
u er sl.
_
id sl. `J
--lower sl.
--upland (./
flat T
51E-3k)
Aspect:_____ Slope(de
Light: Hydrology:
--open terrestrial
fi?lltered __palustrine
thade --estuarine
__riverine
__lacustrine
grees) : AD_
Moisture
--inundated
saturated
moist
_ d i
--seasonally
saturated
--alluvial
General description of site:- -- - - #b= ---------------------
---------------------------------------------- - --------------------
----------------------------------------- -- - -- ---- ----------
Natural Community/Plant Community name:
_?14??_^_ - - - -----------
-- -spec-- ies ----------------------------------------------------
Associ ated:
L
r
4-v-?e Any observations on soils/geology:__?" ----------------------------
--------------- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---- - ------ - -0
Quality & Integrity of community/habitat (successional status, etc.):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TSBEBTS
Dist=bance/Threat Evideng1f.____? ------
--------------------------------
--------------------------------
Potential hreats:__ _ _
-------------------------- -- - ------------------------ -----•
QQSSE$Y8TI4SL?S8QEMEST SEEPS
Do you think the vigor of the population is declining?
What specific management techniques are needed to sustain or improve the
quality of this.occurrence?
Would you recommend further investigations here or immediate protection
efforts? ----- ---- - - -- - ------ ---- -?:----
- --- - - -- --------------------
----------------------------- -----------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- - --- - - - - - .
Please draw below a sketch of the site, with rare species location
clearly marked, scale and compass directions indicated, and proximity to
prominent features included. Also attach copy of topo. or county road
map indicating exact location of population.
4LU /W"t
SFS a`-
Ownership informs ion attached?__Yes
Specimens collected? __Yes t__ o Collector's Name: -------------- # ------
Repository: -----
-------------- -----------
ssssss*s:ss*ss*?s?s?s*s*sss::s:sssss*:ssss:sssss:ssss?:*?rsssssssss:s*::=
Please send this form to either of the agencies below:
N.C. Natural Heritage Program
DNRCD, Div. Parks & Recreation
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611
N.C. Plant Conservation Program
N.C. Dept. of Agrigulture
P.O. Box 27647
Raleigh, NC 27611
FIELD SURVEY - ENDANGERED AND RARE PLANTS Date:_ --
Index Code ---- Q -------
Occurrence-
Name_
Quad
Species:- 1.SUYW(_ wlac Late iM__ Quad Code_
--------------
11
e Ami/Location: --= - - - ---f-` h
=n- f - Z --------------------------------------
----------------------- ------------------------- • County:------------
, `
Reporter(s):4D1L1N_-. - ----------------------- Phone:
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
Plant found? YesL,,No__ If not, why?____________________ _
----------------------------------------- Search time:--- - - ---------
PMUTi4N
Phenology
--dormant
--leaf
bud
ower
--fruit
MUCTBBIBTIQB
# Indiv.
_<Xl B
__11-50
__51-100
__101-500
__501-1000
__1800+
Population Area Evid. Repro.
1mL --fruit
c_hSmz --seeds
__5-10m1 --seedlings
__10-100m2. .4,uegetative
__100mZ-1 ha
__1 ha +
Definition of individual:---1_-5-If:' :--- Spacing:--------------------
How was # individuals determined:__________________________________
Comments and/or comparison w/last visit?_______________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H6DITBT QB_BISTIQB
Elevation-- ft-------- m. Aspect:Slope (degrees):fd 3o
Topographic
position:
--crest
--upper sl.
Lid sl.
--lower sl.
Micro-relief:
-- v
--upland
flat -f
Light:
--open
filtered
_t, ade
Hydrology:
terrestrial
__palustrine
--estuarine
__riverine
__lacustrine
Moisture
--inundated
saturated
c,st
--dry
--seasonally
saturated
--alluvial
General description of site•_ -------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural Community%Plant Community name:-- - ? L14
--- ------------------------ -------------------------------
Associated species:

Any observations on soils/geology:__ _ --- -----------------------
------------- -
-
-
Quality & Integrity of comm-
-pnity/ abitat (successional status, etc.)s
-----------,??a,,?.d==?'? - -----------------------------
Disturbance/Threat Evidence:_ ---- -- ?-- --------------
-- `-------------------------------- -- ----------------------
f_ fv
e a
---------------------------u- u---------------------------------------•
ONSERY&TI4ULMMMENT NEEDS
Do you think the vigor of the population is declining?
What specific management techniques are needed to sustain or improve the
quality of this occurrence?
Would you recommend further investigations here or immediate protection
efforts? --------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
--------------- ------
------------- - - --------
--- ---- ------- ----------------
------ - ----------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please draw below a sketch of the site, .,with rare species location
clearly marked, scale and compass directions indicated, and proximity to
prominent features included. Also attach copy of topo. or county road
map indicating exact location of population.
JQM
U>?S ? A7? ,V; .
Ownership information attached? _Yes
Specimens collected? __Yes ? Collector's Name: -------------- #------
Repository: ---------------------------------------
Please send this form to either of the agencies below:
N.C. Natural Heritage Program
DNRCD, Div. Parks & Recreation
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611
N.C. Plant Conservation Program
N.C. Dept. of Agrigulture
P.O. Box 27647
Raleigh, NC 27611

, CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET
Madlaon/Yancey County Study, 1992
MILE
= bour?d4x
a ,:000 3000 40!' "`T SAMS GAP AREA
41 - sttoyioe =vs yr IQ? C?vee (:n,^t Otfar{ ?`
t ,
t` EUPHORBIA PURPUREA 015
GLADE SPURGE
08/31/94
EOCODE: PDEUPOQ1TO*015*NC IDENT: Y FONUM: ELEMENT RANKS: GRANK: G3 SRANK: S2
COUNTYCODE: NCMADI
SITENAME: SITECODE:
SURVEYSITE: HIGH ROCK PRECISION: S WATERSHED: 06010105
LAT: 355723N S: E: QUADNAME: QUADCODE: MARGNUM: DOTNUM:
LONG: 0803438W N: W: SAMS GAP 3508285 6
DIRECTIONS: "SOUTH-FACING COVE AT JUNCTION OF COVE MOUNTAIN RIDGE AND THE RIDGE THAT THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL RUNS ALONG (SITE #45 IN
'SIGNIFICANT NATURAL FEATURES OF AT IN NC & TN' STUDY" (HEIMAN 1992). (PISGAH NF, FRENCH BROAD RD COMPARTMENT 78.1
STATUS:
SURVEYDATE: 1992-06 LASTOBS: 1992-06 FIRST0BS: 1992-06 EORANK: EORANKDATE: 1992-06
EORANKCOM:
EODATA: 50-1000 PLANTS OVER l+ HA, IN LEAF & FLOWER IN JUNE 1992 (HEIMAN 1992).
DESCRIPTION:
GENDESC: NORTHERN HARDWOOD FOREST: RICH MESIC WOODS: DRY TO MOIST, FILTERED LIGHT TO SHADED, MID SLOPE WITH PANAX QUINQ.,
HYDROPHYLLUM MACROPHYLLUM (1992).
ELEV: 3900 - 4160 SIZE: SIZE COMMENT:
PROTECTION AND OWNERSHIP:
MACODE: MANAME: CONTAINED:
M.USNCHP*14 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST - FRENCH BROAD RANGER DISTRICT N
MORELAND: MOREPROT: MOREMGMT: TNCINVOLVE:
MGMTCOM:
PROTCOM: AREA SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM LOGGING: PRIVATE LAND SHOULD BE PURCHASED BY USFS & PUT INTO PROTECTIVE MANAGEMENT STATUS
(HEIMAN 1992).
OWNER: USFS-PISGAH NF OWNERINFO:
OWNERCOM: & PRIVATE?
COMMENTS: MUCH OF AREA HAS BEEN LOGGED & GRAZED IN PAST (1992).
OPTIONAL FIELDS:
GEOMORPH: BUN GEOI: SPECSTAT: SURVEY: P
SOIL:
ELEMENTSPP:
DOCUMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE: DATASENS: BOUNDARIES: AERIAL PHOTO#:
BESTSOURCE: K.HEIMAN (USFS), JUNE 1992 (FIELD SURVEY, FORM).
SPECIMENS:
TRANSCRIBR: 94-08-02 MJR MAPPER: 94-07-27 MJR EDITION: 94-08-31 EDAUTHOR: RUSSO CHANGE.DATE: 94-08-31
h
FIELD SURVEY - ENDANGERED AND RARE PLANTS
Species
.
_--- - --- - --- - ---------
Sit, , name/4ocatio?n • __ _----- _Ga
.nu4 LQIE
Date:
Index CIdde
Occurrence----?
Quad Name_
Quad Code- ---

Reporter(s):.,. -`??=`=='=-` - -----=-------------------- Phone:
Address:
Plant found? YO_ No__ If not, why?-----------
Search-n;;;:: ----------------------------------------- ----
P4PUL8TI4N QF)B?QTEg1&TZQE
.Phenology # Indiv. Population Area Evid. Repro.
--dormant __1-10 __lm'- -fruit
_?eaf ?-1} 50 __1-5m1 --seeds
__bud L,--51-100 __5-100- :-seedlings
.flower __101-500 __10-100m1 vegetative
--.fruit __501-1000 __1,00m1-1 ha
1000+ L,-- i ha +
Definition of individual S-VAS --
How was # individuals determined:_______________________________________
Comments and/or comparison w/last visit?________________________________
UBMT Q gUC EBIETIQS
Elevation 10_?Wft........ m.
Topographic Micro-relief:
position:
--crest
--upper sl.
jz4id sl.
--lower sl.
_ _upl and !//"
flat J
S (F-S(Al _45-
Aspect; Slope(degrees):--_____
Light: Hydrology: Moisture
--open f,_t-errestrial --inundated
-f?tered __palustrine saturated
--saturated
L
ade --estuarine
__riverine ?y
__lacustrine __seasonally
saturated
--alluvial _
General description of site:_-Izi -_yl^_S -? - ----------------------
---------------------------------------------- ------------------------
--- F-- ---- -
Natural Community/Plant Community name:_-[o_;-;?6_??? -----------
-- --- --------------------------- -------------------------
Associated species: n
1
- e6?,c
Any observations on soil s/geology:__? ---------------------
Quality & Integrity of community/habitat (successional status, etc.):
------------ ---------------------------------------------------------
THBE8TE
Dist bance/T 'ryreat Eviden :--_- -- -- ka,?b4u?--?_?-----------------------
--------------------------------
--- - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - --- --- - - - - - - ?- --- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - ---- - - - - - - - •
Potential hreats:__ - _ ---------------------------------------
-------------------------- -- --------------------------------------- .
CQNEE$YU19VUH89EdENT NEEDS
Do you think the vigor of the population is declining?
What specific management techniques are needed to sustain or improve the
quality of this occurrence?
Would you recommend further investigations here or immediate protection
efforts? __ -- ---- -?-j -- - ------- ---- -----
-------------6U, !_Lis --- - - -?"_ --- - -- - y?? ---- - ---
- - - - - - - - - ------
-----------------------
------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -'- _ - - _ - - - - - - - _ _ _ - - - - - - _ _ _ _ - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --------------
clearly raw below a sketch of the site, with rare species ,location
marked, scale and compass directions indicated, and proximity to
prominent features included. Also attach copy of topo. or county road
map indicating exact location of population.
1.0-U /Vll%-r
U SFS d`-
Ownership information attached? _Yes _
Specimens collected? __Yes ? Collector's Name: -------------- #______
Repository:__
Please send this form to either of the agencies below:
N.C. Natural Heritage Program N.C. Plant Conservation Program
DNRCD, Div. Parks & Recreation N.C. Dept. of Agrigulture
P.O. Box 27687 P.O. Box 27647
Raleigh, NC 27611 Raleigh, NC 27611

1; =
?ly
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEEL' -
Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992'
"II ,tom= bourdar
30" "" "`T SAMS GAP AREA
, RIL04iTQ11 ? . US ?d?Sf IQ? c»o t:?„ Ottari

EOCODE: PDCAROU180*029*NC
COUNTYCODE: NCMADI
SITENAME:
SURVEYSITE: HIGH ROCK
SILENE OVATA 029
MOUNTAIN CATCHFLY
08131!94
IDENT: Y FONUM: ELEMENT RANKS: GRANK: G3 SRANK: S2
SITECODE:
PRECISION: S WATERSHED: 06010105
LAT: 355748H S: E: QUADNAME: QUADCODE: MARGNUM: DOTNUM:
LONG: 0803438W N: W: SAMS GAP 3508285 5
DIRECTIONS: "NEAR HIGH ROCK; ON RIDGE BETWEEN HIGH ROCK AND SAMS GAP; WEST OF APPALACHIAN TRAIL" (HEIMAN 1992). (PISGAH NF, FRENCH
BROAD RD COMPARTMENT 78.1
STATUS:
SURVEYDATE: 1992-06 LASTOBS: 1992-06 FIRSTOBS: 1992-06 EORANK: EORANKDATE: 1992-06
EORANKCOM: ED WAS LIKELY MUCH LARGER BEFORE LOGGING & GRAZING (1992).
EODATA: 15-20 PLANTS OVER 100+ SON, IN LEAF & FLOWER IN JUNE 1992 (HEIMAN 1992).
DESCRIPTION:
GENDESC: NORTHERN HARDWOOD FOREST; RICH MESIC FORESTS, MID-SUCCESSION; MOIST, SHADED, UPPER SLOPE & RIDGELINE; DOWNSLOPE ARE
EUPHORBIA PURPUREA, PANAX QUINQ., HYDROPHYLLUM MACROPHYLLUM (1992).
ELEV: 4100 - 4200 SIZE: SIZE COMMENT:
PROTECTION AND OWNERSHIP:
MACODE: MANAME: CONTAINED:
M.USNCHP*14 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST - FRENCH BROAD RANGER DISTRICT
MORELAND: MOREPROT: MOREMGMT: TNCINVOLVE:
MGMTCOM:
PROTCOM:
OWNER: USFS-PISGAH NF OWNERINFO:
OWNERCOM: ON BOUNDARY WITH PRIVATE LAND
COMMENTS: MUCH OF ADJACENT LAND HAS BEEN LOGGED & GRAZED IN PAST (1992).
OPTIONAL FIELDS:
GEOMORPH: BUN GEOL: SPECSTAT: SURVEY: P
SOIL:
ELEMENTSPP:
DOCUMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE: DATASENS: BOUNDARIES: AERIAL PHOT04:
BESTSOURCE: K.HEIMAN (USFS), JUNE 1992 (FIELD SURVEY, FORM).
SPECIMENS:
TRANSCRIBR: 94-08-02 MJR MAPPER: 94-07-27 MJR EDITION: 94-08-31 EDAUTHOR: RUSSO CHANGE.DATE: 94-08-31

FIELD SURVEY - ENDANGERED AND RARE PLANTS Date : ,gG_f!'!'1,_/_, _--
Index Code
Occurrence-
Quad Name
_,.? - ---
Species:--- -- - --- ? ----------- Quad Code--------r------
Si nam Lpcat' n:_ _ _ • __,, _ __1
AA
---I li Cou?t3_ - -- ---
Report (s) s_ q - -- Ph?ne: (7 11 2
Address:-------------------------------------------------------------- -
Plant found? Yes No__ If not, why?___________________ 117 ----------------------------------------- Search time:--?---
----------
FQBUL?TIQL? Q?388?QT?RI?T?Q 5,-'a-?
Phenology # Indio. Population Area Evid. Repro.
do mant 1-10 __lm?• -fruit
E,7 eaf ?Z11-50k_ +? __1-501 _-seeds
bud __51-100 __5-1001 --seedlings
j.,,3ower 101-500 10-10001 1,_6egetative
--fruit 501-1000 ,.__,-f00mZ-1 ha
__1000+ __1 ha + i?
Definition of individual: _ p ac aci g --------------------
How was # individuals determined: _______________________________________
Comments and/or comparison w/last visit? _______________________-________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
585ITBT QUB?Q I?TIQ?
Elevationyj___ _ t._______m.
E-4- S
Aspect:_____ Slope (degrees):? _
Topographic Micro-relief
position • ,? ?______
rest v' --
?fppe r s i .
__mid sl.
--lower sl.
--upland _1z
flat
Light:
.,,.?n
--op
_(-filtered
--shade
Hydr99logy:
terrestrial
__palustrine
--estuarine
__riverine
__lacustrine
Moisture
--inundated
--saturated
_=moist
y
--seasonally
saturated
--alluvial ,, ../
General description of site: kL"?_?!?- ---- --- ----- ----
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural Community/Plant Community
As ---cie- ----------------------------------------------------
sociated spess
gil'a" ? a,\_? f.) /I 4VL
fT)11? - (?,
w
Any observations on soils/geology:_ ---------------
Quality & Integrity of community%habitat (successional status, etc.)s
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THMTE
Di t? u'rrbbaan /Thre t Evidence: _
-- --= - - - ----------------------
-----------
s - - -- r--------- --------- - --- ---•
Pot?en ial T %et --- - - - ----------------CONS&8Y&TIMGBOUT NEEDS
Do you think the vigor of the population is declining?
What specific management techniques are needed to sustain or improve the
quality of this occurrence?
Would you recommend further investigations here or immediate protection
efforts? ----------------------------------- - ------------- ------------
---------
----------
-----------------
--A ------__=v?-------------------------
------ ---------_ -----r„---- _ _----
----------
---- ---- --- -- - -- ----------------------------- -----
-- ----- - - - - - •
Please draw below a sketch of the site, with rare species location
clearly marked, scale and compass directions indicated, and proximity to
prominent features included. Also attach copy of topo. or county road
map indicating exact location of population.
?SFS
Ownership information attache __Yes No
Specimens collected?
"_Yes _Eeko Collector's Name:____
Repository:---------------------------------------
Please send this form to either of the agencies below:
N.C. Natural Heritage Program N.C. Plant Conservation Program
DNRCD, Div. Parks & Recreation N.C. Dept. of Agrigulture
P.O. Box 27687 P.O. Box 27647
Raleigh, NC 27611 Raleigh, NC 27611
2

CONTOUR INTERI/AL 40 FEET
Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992
"• k = baurd"
:aaa
3000 4000 098' SAMS GAP AREA
-MOUcrae ?? _•!tc r.-- -_r- I _ 1 _ 114

SITE SURVEY REPORT Date: 9 a
-- N.C. Natural Heritage Program' Quad Name: . L
,P.O. Box 27687 / Raleigh NC 27611 County:
Name of Site:
Surveyors: ?
Nation & Di
Size: IK aA-. Province: U Watershed: ,`irawat yr»datU
Owners and address: ?
Owner contacted & attitude:
General Landscape Description: `6% lA- CG
Physical Description:
Aspect: Slope: Topog. Position: Hydrology: Moisture:
N flat -crest _C---ferrestrial -inundated .
E -0-5 _upper slope _ palustrine -freq. flooded
_ S _5-10 -mid slope -estuarine -saturated
_ W _10-35 -lower slope iverine vaeasonally wet
_ flat 35 + -upland flat lacustrine moist (mesic)
_ZZ,-a11 _ve ica1 alluvial fl atn? -subterranean ?(xeric)
.r.?-??a?hHa.?9S,ca.Qt afLF?
Elevation:
Geology:
Soils (series if known, correlated with Natural Communities, p.2, if possible):

Comments on Physical Description:
• 1

Biological Description:
ies. List communities
vegetation structure,
dominants & important
position in landscape
quality & condition,
size
and for each describe:
spp. by strata,
& relation to other communities,
a44 a4.t-
Natural Communit
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Vde

?.vencf'Y?.Z ?++AaCZ°?%7c?\`'?..'vCL?a
t'44?

Special Status Species present (attach forms):

Potential for other Special Status Species:
Other note*drthy species o features present:
Site Integrity: high _good (/ fair ,-poor
Average DBH of canopy trees: --
Maximum DBH of canopy trees:
Fire regime (natural, suppression, date of most recent, etc.):
Rogge ( n, escribe
ePven-aged anop ( uccessional stand om pasture or clearcut)
non-native or weedy spp. present (list and describe):
ditched/drained (describe):
stream channelized
-dredging/filling
_understory cleared
-grazing
_ORV damage (describe):
-other (describe):
Adjacent land use (describe):

3
Significance of site: (high quality and/or rare communities, rare spp., etc.):
Discussion: _national
. state
?/w- a ? - regional
1 P-- _26ounty
Protection Considerations and Management Needs: (discuss recommended
protection for natural area, and management needed to maintain or improve
quality of site, such as fire, ORV exclusion, fencing, blocking drainage, etc.)
Documentation
Survey boundaries (describe why your survey stopped where it did):
V
Priority for further survey (why, for what, at what season):
Specimens collected (plants, animals, soil, rock - of what and state
repository): - -
Photographs (of what):
Others knowledgeable about site:
_T PO MAP ATTACHED
-Sketch of site or part of site attached (as needed or appropriate, to show
access, rare spp., relative positions of communities, etc., particularly.if
cannot be well-portrayed on. attached topo map).
4
PLANT SPECIES LIST
Code species by community in which they occur.
How thorough is this list? nearly complete medium casual
CANOPY: I
gad?;M411A_A_ `,,daooj/
PA
W-9•KL1
i
A V..eo- 5 CC l ? ? ;.
ep- V)
?l ?. SSa 5 ? v ?? I Cct I
Y I
U gnu S rU??q
.I
I
y-c? ?-? Iba- I
L-?qq U ?GCa w??j a? Sty
boy: ? ? ?a ?S?e uo? o - ae.ae ? a i
???-' ..e-Fv10.. n ?g rte. I
4ac,a.
SUBCANOPY:
I
(
I
I
I
I
i
I
I
I
I
I
(
SHRUBS:

Gc,

VINES:

PLANT SPECII
HERBS : Aty,4

'sS LIST (page 2)
HERBS:
NONVASCULARS:
NOTES ON ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT
List animals present, evidence (sighting or other), breeding?, etc. (attach
separate list if needed):
6
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET
Madison/Yancey County Study,
1 MILE
o '°°° _°°° '°°° °°°."r MOUNTAIN ISLAND
Hot Springs Quad
SCALE 1 :24,000 -?4.. 1011,92"AJA-If
1992
I?
SITE SURVEY REPORT Date: r-I- 2 9
- N.r. Natural Heritage Program. Quad Name: _
P.O. Box 27687 / Raleigh NC 27611 County:-
Name of Site:, 5"q V-.? Cree j OS1n'??1n
Surveyors: ,
Location & Directions: !%L& o 2A f
C
--4 n n-fl <j--c LIJ /ca )I t?l _ fi2?c. . 9X f
Size: t?S`
Owners and,
tac
nce:
& attitude:
Watershed:
General Landscape Description :. OC44U Wv " S
AXA/" 0-?
Physical Description:
Aspect: Slope: og. Position:
op Hyurology:
N flat ?
1/ crest _L,,.,terrestrial
E 0-5 U?-p er slope __palustrine
S 5-10 t?fn"d slope -estuarine
_
W _
10-35 Power slope riverine
_
flat _
35 + -upland flat _ lacustrine
_
L---all vert'al _alluvial flat subterranean
_
T." of
O

Moisture:
-inundated
-freq. flooded
-saturated
L.-?easonaliy wet
-moist (mesic)
j_,alry (xeric)
Elevation: ?-
Geol
14
S ils eries if known, cow rr?ated with Natural Communiti s, p.2, possible}:
Comm' ent?n Physical Descripti n:
.?Z
o/"? Gam. ?? J hA" Ce t-e4
jAa7 aj-
I
1
4

Biological Description:
Natural Communit
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
ies. List communities
vegetation structure,
dominants & important
position in landscape
quality & condition,
size
and for each describe:
spp. by strata,_
& relation to other communities,
C?
Ga?? ? ?O 0 vtA?GC/ K
JAJ
Y_
ttA
arLa, Cc?-? C01-iZal _/YL?
' " ?'?p+C.e9+ ?IPFJUl,1?.QR?,vG,6Yvt ?? ??1?%LJLO_.??r-Wed • . /?/°'¢cQ U`gH'`
Special Status Species present (attach forms):
???ra?i ? ? py?no? ?pah Pam $?
Carz?aw?ivter -?'la9e?i?-erZt ? C:O?tA'IC-
DiSvoruw maculotum
Drya?t-ergs coo o? ?a nol
Potential for other Special Status Species:
Other noteworthy species or features present: ,
A lehiUwt rkizo k llu m
C ?s7-o -e ri S ro,T'FI?Sc?t.
Site Integrity: -high food -fair ,-poor
Average DBH of canopy trees: Maximum DBH of canopy trees: 35
"
Fire.regime (natural, suppression, date of most recent, etc.):
ziogged (when, describe): ?t9 G Q
_en-aged canopy (successional stand fr pa ure or clearcut)
non-native or weedy spp. present (list and describe):
ditched/drained (describe):
-stream channelized
-dredging/filling
u erstory cleared
-.7 I;t:?%
zing /? GtIiQR?4,Gt1L2
_ORV damage (des ribe):
other (describe):
Adjacent land se (describe):
osFs

Significance of site: (high quality and/or rare communities, rare app., etc.):
Discus ion: national
.? A state
vregional
county
a4.4 UCU4-1-
?Protection Considerations and Management Needs: (discuss recommended
protection for natural area, and management needed to maintain or improve
quality of si_.t,¢¢e?,-- such as fire, ORV exclu 'on, fencin blo king drainage, etc.)
oil,

Documentation
Survey boundaries (descr e w y you s rvey stoppe where it did): _
.9.. c?L C saY??.9
ate. v?^?`IE4?4
Priori y for further survey (why, for what, at what season):
PCQ4` j
Specimens collected (plants, nima s, soil, rock _ o what and state
rep sitory) : a,, u
I
N ?{•p ' ?'
Photographs (of what):
Ot rs knowledgeable about site:
o ..er /"?ak ?.c?70?f-6y9=q?{a7?'/'I.P, ?'y 1S$•3737?? ? ?
TO'P0 MAP ATTACHED
j4,,d..,???... 4 qq. 3?f
-Sketch of site or part?of site attached (as needed or appropriate, to show
access, rare spp., relative positions of communities, etc., particularly.if
cannot be well-portrayed on attached topo map).
4

PLANT SPECIES LIST
Code species by community in which they occur.
How thorough is this list? -nearly complete medium -casual
CAN PY=
A ,
*RzotzA ,
_
13.
D
Q
•
Q.
-ze P. P• S BCANOPY:

off.
? ?A-
N?q,ea.
I SHRUBS:
I
I
I A
I
i
I
I
i
I
I VINES: .??
I
I
I ?Ctrv?t,4?? "
I ? .
I -
i
I
I
I

1'
PLANT SPECIES LIST (page 2)
MOMS:
? I u r
S

HERBS:

NONVASCULARS:
NOTES ON ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT
rL als r sent, evidence
separate list if needed):
'( 'WA cert,,,w.)
(sighting or other), breeding?, etc. (attach
a
6
/n444t
FIELD SURVEY - ENDANGERED AND RARE PLANTS Date:_11 ?1 oZ____
Index Code______________
Occurrence------ L
Quad Name_ ?„r_tn;ry-, __
species: _otvk?_ _ ?11? U - vh? ------ Quad Code---------
Si a name Lo ation:= S_l o. ?- ----------
- - - y, ---------------------
------------ - --T
County:Dessau----
. 70
Reporter(s): Phone: ( ) ---------
Address: ------------------------------.GY1_27- -----------------
• -----
Plant found? YesjC--_N'o__ If not, why?____ ------------

--------
------------------
------------- Search e.
tim-- ------=-

PQPUL8TI4N Q8$B?QTEgI?TIQB
Phenology # I iv. Population Area Evid. Repro.
--dormant 18 __lms _C-fruit
--leaf __11-50 __1 5m1 --seeds
d- 5I-100 __5-18m1 --seedlings
ower
lip 101-500 __10-1000- vegetative
ruit 501-1000 __100mZ-1 ha
1000+ _lXha +
Definition of individual : ____= -kV= ___
2 --- Spacing.--------------------
How was # individuals determined:-------
--------------------------------
Comments nd/ r com ri on w /last is ?_______ ___ ---- 7-
-40
?
==------------?+--

Aspect:_?9__ Slope (degrees)
Light:
--open
filtered
_l_Ws de
Hydrology:
terrestrial
__palustrine
--estuarine
__riverine
__lacustrine
Moisture
--inundated
--saturated
Moist
__dry
--seasonally
saturated
--alluvial •??- ?,/J
// ----
General description of `site: ??1Cti_?ti?s_?Ve r--- ?-- ?G? -
-------------------------------------- ---------------- -------------
-- -----------
Natural Community/Plant Community name:
-- ?, lr?c
--crest
upper sl.
L491'd s l .
--lower sl.
--upland
flat J
865ITBT MUCTC816TIQB
Elevation2ZL),L)___ft -------- m.
Topographic Micro-relief:
position:
Associated species:
1-11-: 1
If MWM
CNVJA0V1?u? P' lt& y l l'ArA
0'50.ew, -00.1 v-k(zo Pk1(1oq
b*c (,94d-4- C U C v14iA
An o ervat'ons on soils/geology:--Q,a?„4.e_ Akl- _--
- - - ----- ---- r? _ _ •
- --- ---- ---------------- - --------- ---- --
Qua-li y & t?grity of co^ ty/hapitat (succes oval status, etc.):
------- -1rV-----------
TEBEBT&
Disturbance/Threat Evidence:_
4 - I-A- rr r-rrr-- ----- r r r
------------------------------------ -------- - ----- -----
---------------- - --- 10 - - - r - - - - -- - - -- -- - - - - - -- --- - --
Pote tial Thre t
--.o.- ----- --- ------ --------------------
CQNEEBY8TI4NLtl85801SENT NEEDS
Do you think the vigor of the population is declining?
What specific management techniques are needed to sustain or improve the
quality of this occurrence?
Would you rec mmend urther i4vestigations h re r i edi to protection
efforts? --efu4 --G -- - -- '°-? :.' ----------
-- --- - --- ,Zl J7 X11. . -_ -x: -- ---??_??.??tst?t?.
--- -------- A—
---- -- - --------------- ------
----------
---
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please draw below a sketch of the site, with rare species location
clearly marked, scale and compass directions indicated, and proximity to
prominent features included. Also attach copy of topo. or county road
map indicating exact location of population.
y='
.>
. l .? Q
An,
Ownership 'in'formation attached?--Yes --No dQJ
Specimens collected? --Yes Ieft Collectorls• ame:--------------#_r-r-r
Repository:---------------------------------------
Please send this form to either of the agencies below:
N.C. Natural Heritage Program
DNRCD, Div. Parks & Recreation
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611
N.C. Plant Conservation Program
N.C. Dept. of Agrigulture
P.O. Box 27647
Raleigh, NC 27611
FIELD SURVEY - ENDANGERED AND RARE PLANTS Date:___ _--`
Index
Occurrence- --
Quad Name_
Species:_1 -._______-- Quad Code_ ------
---
Sit n me/LocAti _ _ - Gtr - -- -- - -? .
" ?? .Count
Reporter (s)
:_ ?? -vim ----r`---- -------------- Phone: (?A?e??l•_??L?.?
Address: ----------------------------------------------------------
Plant found? Yesl,,,fJo__ If not, why?-----------------------------------
------------------------- Search time:------------------
P4PUL&TI4N MUCTEBI&TIQ&
Phenology # Indiv. Population Area Evid. Repro.
--dormant L/1-10
11
50 __lmi
1
S
1 --fruit
--leaf - _
-
m --seeds
bud 51-100 _L-54?10m% seedlings
.flower 101-500 __10-100m2. D4, etative
--fruit 501-1000 __100mZ-1 ha
1000+ __1 ha +
Definition of individual : _____, f 6j_(?!'?___ Spacing: --------------------
How was # individuals determined:_______________________________________
Comments and/or comparison w/last visit?_*_______________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
UBMT QUBM &II5TICS
ft
El
ti
e (de
Slo
rees)
A
ect
' a
on-;LSO ?
._______m.
eva :
sp p
g :
Topographic Micro-relief: Light: Hydrology: Moisture
position: --open ,terrestrial --inundated
--crest _"_ iltered __palustrine saturated
--upper sl. Johade --estuarine 1"K0is.t
„1,et(id sl. __riverine __dry
--lower sl. __lacustrine --seasonally
--upland •? J'" saturated
flat JJ
_alluvial
Gene al escription of site:1P.:1??:???.1[-^t.
----- - ---!'q,-----------------------------------------------
Natural Community%Piant Conununit-y name:I R-lEECrH1= -----
------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
Assoc ated spe dies:
Z?
c0i
Any observations on soils/geology: lw?u.4
Qualit-Int?e ty -f ,c-mmun%habitat (succ signal status, etc.):
-_
THRUTS
Disturbance/Threat Evidences_
------------
-------------------------------- --- - ----------------------------
------------------------------------------------------r----------------
Potential Threats:______________________
--- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - ---- - - - --- - - - - - - - - -- - --- - - - - - .
CQNEEEYBTIOUZ S&GUENT NEEDS
Do you think the vigor of the population is declining?
What specific management techniques are needed to sustain or improve the
quality of this occurrence?
Would you recommend further investigations here or immediate protection
efforts? _
--------------A ----------
-------- - -?- ssr -_-- ---- -------------
----------------------- ---------- - - -------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please draw below a sketch of the site, with rare species location
clearly marked, scale and compass directions indicated, and proximity to
prominent features included. Also attach copy of topo. or county road
map indicating exact location of population.
Ownership information attached?__Yes __No kwi,'",
S e imer?s c ec/M?dh A,/Yes __No Collector's Name:_ .----# ----
Repository:--=------ ---------------------------
Please send this form to either of the agencies below:
N.C. Natural Heritage Program
DNRCD, Div. Parks & Recreation
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611
N.C. Plant Conservation Program
N.C. Dept. of Agrigulture
P.O. Box 27647
Raleigh, NC 27611
p?c"ocarP°? P K,4 I.
br-'Dryop/QpJll-rv-d P? ? . ? ? - Cain, 0 -,Nae r
14A?etrK I?Ti%IIlIbW s;v4;1? Cam' lG d??•TeT4,
_ { It f
.. 1? \? ? _ O 1?? ?",J ?I.1 - `mil ? .??'???<`L-??. ? i?' ??.?rr - ~ 4=i•=__?? ?
\ ?'A ?? , 1 ?) ? } - ??., ? ? ?, , ; .?:G? - to
\- . k/? lc?
'1%' ??? J/ / 1 ?? 1 ,,'?., lit ??\?• ? ,..-..1---, r ,?? _.. .
'A I,
'/ X?l
?'r [ \J \ \ / • '/ ??? \ • '`,v rte, T ?\ (LSD 81
141/1
17? "loci
Ems: ..R°?' , ' /' /1•'•11 c, 1`^? ?? ; ''ti ;,?- `?.,? ? •' l % ! ' l ._ %.?( ? :')? .o'; ? ?Y )/ j' i; I 1
.? ???`W^ ??( '`\\• ?., ?1'`? ? ?'+! cam" ,=ti,e%? ? ??/ ••?\ 1 ?\??? ? f '`o'' ? 1 ?', ! 11 J
_? ? ? ?•/(/ 4 •1? c? ;,.?? ?vv- ? `?'?l4 ?,• / a \?, ' ?? ? l I JJJ111 ? M rcf r??? ?
???'?` cam.: -'r _?_ •__.. ? ? ,- ; ,? .. w
-' ??J ` /i-? ; f ? ? ?? y . ?; .rRr ??,?6op??• ' ` • /?r---?K, ? ? > ;?? 1 j / Ill (,.,?•:.?-?? . ` ?_
Y7 x 2q49I 1\1
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET
MILE Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992
w0 1000 7000 7000 4000 FEET
1 RILOMETiR SPRING CREEK MOUNTAIN N
Spring Creek Quad
N
.y }•

i
i
1y
.a?

,s
S . SURVEY REPORT Date: I -oZD (,lMA l
`? -- N.C. Natural Heritage Program- Quad Name:
P.O. Box 27687 / Raleigh NC 27611 County:
Name of Site: k) f n A- M o v104 in
Surveyors:_Z
Location & Di 'JL Size • Province • 2 Ae, Watershed: ?? Q t4.??_
Owners and address: r' '?-
Owner contacted & attitude:
General Landscape Description:
,?? ?f? 1LU/??,
t-- 0- ? Q
Physical Description:
Aspect: Slope: Topog. Position: Hydrology: Moisture:
N flat crest terrestrial -inundated
- E L--G-5 -
Ltrp er slope __palustrine -freq. flooded
S t?10 slope _estuarine -saturated
_ W !/10-35 -lower slope _riverine seasonally wet
?(oist (mesic)
flat 35 + upland flat _lacustrine Z-
_
c/ all -vertical -
-alluvial flat -subterranean _dry (xeric)
n cn
f
o
E Vat
Geology:
Soils (series if known, correlated with Natural Communities, p.2, if possible):
-ettA XI-C vej? ow I Aik 44vv
lx -
Comments on Physical Descri tion: L64-
•
I&Qj. ?..??-,rte- 4A tvez? ?a??
a ssw ?°
cc, /AUUA .40
T
Biological Description:
d
i
t
r
1
Is
Natural Communities. List communities and for each describe:
A) vegetation structure,
B) dominants & important spp. by strata,
C) position in landscape & relation to other communities,
D) quality & condition,
E) size
N a' t
lJb?
7 rte,
"4-6CA? I
K
Ati4
c? C
2
r
Special Status Species present (attach forms):
Potential for other pe ial status Species:
AILI
other noteworthy species or features esent: ?.
Site Integrity: high [good fair __Poor
Average DBH of canopy trees: aA -/dl
f ? WG7???"I/,
10 t
Maximum DBH of canopy trees.
Fire re (natural, suppression, date of most recent, etc.):
/
r-A a
,,ogge (when, describe) : `' Ol, kat-4 Lz-4,
? a Z -mod Q, stand from or rcu
clea C
-even-aged canopy (success pasture
non-native or weedy spp. present (list and describe): ?aaw?
ditched/drained (describe):
-stream channelized
-dredging/filling
understory? c?l"e"anreYe)
?.?'azing
_ORV damage (descr_I?ther ( descri e ) :
Ue?lltio? C.u.( ( -?t- ?r L.p„
Adjacent nd us (des ribe
-MR
Ira
3 _
It
Significance of site: (high quality and/or rare communities, rare spp., etc.):_
Discussion: ?GO -national
• a state
--regional

Protection Considerations and Management Needs: (discuss recommended
protection for natural area, and management needed to maintain or improve
quality of site, such as fire, ORV exclusion, fencing, blocking drainage, etc.)
??-- C.0-
-F
Documentation
Survey boundaries (describe why your survey stopped where it did):
e ?? W ?. ?. ,te e
Priority for u th r survey (why, for what, at what sea§on : CA-1-0-
Specimens collected pl s, anim s, soil, rock - of what and state
repository):
Photographs (of what):
Others knowledgeable about site:
_TOPO MAP ATTACHED
_Sketch of site or part of site attached (as needed or appropriate, to show
access, rare spp., relative positions of communities, etc., particularly.if
cannot be well-portrayed on attached topo map).
4

!.
PLANT SPECIES LIST
Code species by community in whi h they occur. /
How thorough is this list? _nearly complete ? medium _casual
CANOPY: f SHRUBS:
,4 c z-,.
,a,aoc K i .
I
1
Utz f
`?P su.w?.? i _
I
Ga?
I
I
f
I
SUBCANOPY: j
f VINES:
5 -
It
PLANT SPECIES LIST (page 2)
HERBS:
-271M aAAAaa.-
Sa?w?u?t
f
Uva
rn-d a-
J7' I %V
C = 9
?Ij
s-LoQ.U,,-
aL???ACLtM?. C_fd'tivGtad

Tom:
NONVASCULARS:
NOTES ON ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT
List animals present, evidence (sighting
separate list if needed):
60f L AW(K
or other), breeding?, etc. (attach
6
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET - - -- - --
Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992
1 MILE
1 EOa =CEC IL-O .ECG FEET WALNUT MOUNTAIN
t KILMETEE N
Bald Creek Quad
All.
HYDROPHYLLUM MACROPHYLLUM 003
LARGELEAF 'AATERLEAF
09!29194
EOCODE: PDHYD02050*003*NC IDENT: Y FONUM: ELEMENT RANKS: GRANK: G5 SRANK: S1S2
COUNTYCODE: NCYANC
SITENAME: SITECODE:
SURVEYSITE: MCKINNEY GAP PRECISION: S WATERSHED:
LAT: 355715N S: E: OUADNAME: OUADCODE: MARGNUM: DOTNUM:
LONG: 0822805W N: W: BALD CREEK 3506284 13
DIRECTIONS: MCKINNEY GAP.
STATUS:
SURVEYDATE: 1992-06 LASTOBS: 1992-06 FIRSTOBS: 1992-06 EORANK: E EORANKDATE: 1992-06
EORANKCOM:
EODATA: NO INFORMATION.
_ DESCRIPTIDN:_,.._
GENDESC: NORTHERN HARDWOOD
ELEV: 4200 SIZE: SIZE COMMENT:
PROTECTION AND OWNERSHIP:
MACODE: MANAME: CONTAINED:
MORELAND: MOREPROT: MOREMGMT: TNCINVOLVE:
MGMTCOM:
PROTCOM:
OWNER: OWNERINFO:
OWNERCOM:
COMMENTS:
OPTIONAL FIELDS:
GEOMORPH: BBR GEOL: SPECSTAT: SURVEY: P
SOIL:
ELEMENTSPP:
DOCUMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE: DATASENS: BOUNDARIES: AERIAL PHOTO#:
BESTSOURCE: K.HEIMAN (USFS). JUNE 1992 (MAP).
SPECIMENS:
TRANSCRIBR: 94-09-29 MJR MAPPER: 94-09-06 MJR EDITION: 94-09-29 EDAUTHOR: RUSSO CHANGE.DATE: 94-09-29
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEET
t Mlla
4 , aea 7000 3000 4000 Fair Ug?Qw?,e ?2-
RI'eMarall Q're VCP, Doe
SCALE 1,: 24,000
Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992
WALNUT MOUNTAIN N1
Bald Creek Quad
,7.t , L?eVt+?trvd

SITE SURVEY REPORT
-- N.C. Natural Heritage Program
P.O. Box 27687 / Raleigh NC 27611
Name of Site
Surveyors:
Loca?ion & D
I- a
ions:
. ISM
U
Date : 1-,?o 1
Quad Name:
County: YAMCP
Size•_ 17I') Province: 2 Q. Watershed: itn Q_ ?,`.._
Owners and address: r' jl?-
Owner contacted & attitude:--
General Landscape Description: jw/n GW??-
t-r CL ?,(???
Physical Description:
Aspect: Slope: Topog. Position:
t Hyurology:
terrestrial Moisture:
inundated .
N
E flat
c.a_5 -cres
er slope _palustrine -
-freq. flooded
S t.ir10 slope
±7id _estuarine -saturated
W t/10-35 -lower slope riverine seasonally wet
7-4e6ist (mesic)
flat 35 + upland flat lacustrine

all
-vertical -
-alluvial flat
-subterranean
-dry (xeric)

Geology:
Soils (series if known, correlated with Natural Communities, p.2, if possible):
At-c J a -a v4j d&41 Aw?k 440i--)
Comments on Physical Descri tion: /ttA L6r
CtGUQ - n mA0- a..? o? a sal -
'5ea4v?
( k-
1
Biological Description:
Natural Communities. List communities and for each describe:
A) vegetation structure,
B) dominants & important spp. by strata,
C) position in landscape & relation to other communities,
D) quality & condition,
E) size
--
ZD?
rrrnn "'Wj-
<<d??,
6
?i
7 r„?
00,
-e ,-
?
a"'
lZ,?

C9
2

Special Status Species present (attach forms):
yij? /Vvk_?
Potential forgco_ther pe ial Status Species : _ r- f, I %
4JLSLa,_ 4-
p - JU ?j .
ether noteworthy species or features esent: ?.

Site Integrity: -high good fair ___poor
Average DBH of canopy trees: 4AJ. t4
Maximum DBH of canopy trees.
Fire re (natural, suppression, date of most recent, etc.):
rte, ktkt?_&fl
0
loge (when, desc;ibe) :
Cdr al stand from asture or clearcu C ^-?
even aged canopy (succession P
non-native or weedy spp. present (list and describe): C
ditched/drained (describe):
stream channelized
-dredging/filling
understory cleared /r --
zing ?y ?QAl1 - ? Mall
ORV damage (descr e)
:, %fither ( descri e ) : J ? Cu-7Lc w `'`-j •?-?L. ?-? p?
Adjacent nd us (des ribe): W'J
QW
"Ila altk-
3
6:?
e
Significance of site: (high quality and/or rare communities, rare spp., etc.):
Discussion: Vkz4 C^ Q JLi?A / /(Jc cp.» -national
• JJ? state
A -regional
7-county
G?,T?' 1 "?"? Gtr
V (-?J [71?J?[AI ??
A .
cmid
. ?p
-4-1-e all
Protection Considerations and Management Needs: (discuss recommended
protection for natural area, and management needed to maintain or improve
quality of site, such as fire, ORV exclusion, fencing, blocking drainage, etc.)
Documentation
Survey`ndaries (describe why your survey stopped whe e
Priority for u th r survey (why, for what, at what seagon :
Specimens collected pl s, anim s, soil, rock - of what and state
repository):
Photographs (of what):
Others knowledgeable about site:
1-?TOPO MAP ATTACHED
_Sketch of site or part of site attached (as needed or appropriate, to show
access, rare spp., relative positions of communities, etc., particularly.if
cannot be well-portrayed. on attached topo map).
4
?Y
PLANT SPECIES LIST
Code species by community in which they occur.
How thorough is this list? .early complete medium casual
5 -
PLANT SPECIES LIST (page 2)
HERBS:
s .
v?.?.
o
uv
-Tn-w\

v 4

NONVASCULARS:
NOTES ON ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT
List animals present, evidence (sighting or other), breeding?, etc. (attach
separate list if needed):
(Aj
4 F4
d - '
g
6
}
fSI SURVEY REPORT
' --N.r. Natural Heritage Program
P.O. Box 27687 / Raleigh NC 27611
Size: Province:
Owners and address: rJv'c \r0Q 'I
Date : / o?
Quad N
County: A4 rVIA09
Watershed:

Owner contacted & attitude:
General Land ca a Descri do :
ti
C-Vl
Physical Description:
Aspect: Slope: Topog. Position: Hydrology: Moisture:
N flat crest terrestrial _inundated .
_ E -
Lupper slope _palustrine -freq. flooded
S ?5-10 id slope -estuarine -saturated
W ?]0-35 _
vrower slope _riverine seasonally wet
flat ^35 + upland flat _lacustrine oist (mesic)
_
_1_,,-all -vertical -
-alluvial flat _subterranean -dry (xeric)
Elevation: 3goo._ 7 itoo
Geology:
Soils (series if known, correlated with Natural Communities, p.2, if possible):
1 fu4n
Comments on Physical Description:
Ak?? fiA r
1
w
Biological Description:
Natural Communities. List communities and for each describe:
A) vegetation structure,
B) dominants & important spp. by strata,
C) position in landscape & relation to other communities,
D) quality & condition,
E) size
C?L
.,ea ct
?A ?-t a, C- a A
ti AS
fee

"O-? 9&'
J
?D?-
5
t low,

aa k.wbe? cu7-?z?, ?d y?

-RA Z V k ?-A;I P; A?
wan-,
2
Special Status Species present (attach forms):
? 1
Potential for other Special Status Species:
fCC4<?
Other noteworthy species or features present:
+C,-fair._ __poor _-
Site Integrity: -high ?ood-
f ?r
Average DBH of canopy trees: 7
Maximum DBH of canopy trees: 4t,
Fire regime (natural, suppression, date of most recent, etc.):
7
(frogged (when, describe : O? CtILQ9?.-
even-aged canopy (successional stand from pasture or c earcut)
non-native or weedy spp. present (list and describe):
ditched/drained (describe):
-stream channelized
-dredging/filling
_understory cleared
_ razing tM .e4-?
ORV damage (describe):
other (describe):
Adjacent land use (describe):
3
Significance of site: (high quality and/or rare communities, rare spp., etc.): -1.J I Discussion: ?? -national
.? state
-regional
_county
Gc1Z?
Protection Considerations and Management Needs: (discuss recommended
protection for natural area, and management needed to maintain or improve
quality of site, such as fire, ORV exclusion, fencing, bl cking drainage, etc.)
Documentation
Survey boundaries (describe why your survey stopped where it did):
U S S -,-t?vtsL
Priority for further survey (why, for what, at what season):
Specimens collected (plants, animals, soil, rock - of what and state
repository):
Photographs (of what):
Others knowledgeable about site: Q
L-1505`0 05`0 MAP ATTACHED
-Sketch of site or part of site attached (as needed or appropriate, to show
access, rare spp., relative positions of communities, etc., particularly.if
cannot be well-portrayed on attached topo map).
4
PLANT SPECIES LIST
Code species by community in which they occur.
How thorough is this list? nearly complete ?medium casual
5 -
PLANT SPECIES LIST (page 2)
HERBS: I HERBS:.
V
f7nY'
V i
c I
• I NONVASCULARS:
-. l
(
l
NOTES ON ANIMAL SPECIES PRESENT
List animals present, evidence (sighting or other), breeding?, etc.
separate list if needed):
(attach
6
•Y .
? _ iorgan
• Y 'l'am c
v'
o za.. ,_ -13Do -
r oq
•1 N
r
n a9 -
?gu as • 0
ao
f " _ t aM .
p a
az za
Cypripedium acaule
t`Platanthera orbiculata
I ? ?? \ -? ?\? \1 /f 1(\//??? ?ll/.l\\\ r%il _ _ .?? /J!?-? _J.•. ?nr? .' ..r_??

Heliagthus giaucophy11 si
Prenanthes roanesis .
F" Coreopsis latifolia
. Q
ONO
CONTOUR INTERVAL 40 FEff
Madison/Yancey County Study, 1992;
1 Mlli
o ,uac ,ooo Joao 4000 sc.r -V?- Z)W HUGHES GAP AREA
0141 ' R56T.a Iron Mtn Quad
Ch A I L' 9 ',A A/1A .tL 1&-.-_4- 4trV1fA latil

A PRELIMINARY NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY
OF THE LUMBER RIVER FLOODPLAIN
A REPORT SUBMITTED TO:
NORTH CAROLINA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
NORTH CAROLINA NATURE CONSERVANCY
BY:
ANDREW N. ASH
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
PEMBROKE STATE UNIVERSITY
PEMBROKE, NORTH CAROLINA 28372-1510
[phone] EXT. 418
THIS STUDY WAS FINANCED BY DONATIONS TO THE N.C. NATURE CONSERVANCY FROM
SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANK OF LUMBERTON AND OTHER PRIVATE CONTRIBUTORS, AND BY A
MATCHING COST-SHARE GRANT FROM THE N.C RECREATION AND NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST
FUND THROUGH AGREEMENT WITH THE N.C. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND
NATURAL RESOURCES.
NOVEMBER 14, 1990
SURVEY OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The Lumber River is a blackwater stream that drains much
of Southe&s?t-e"rn North Carolina. It rises in
Moore and Montgomery Counties near Samarcand
southeastward-through Richmond, Hoke, Scotla;
Columbus,'Counties thence into South Carolina
the Little Pee ~Dee-River. The scope of this
mile length of river from the South Carolina
Road 1412 above Wagram in Scotland County.
the sandhills of
and flows
ad, Robeson and
where it becomes
study is the 102
border to State
The Lumber is a small stream for most of its length, but
a its volume almost doubles'at its confluence with the Big
Swamp about 11 miles below Lumberton. The character of the
river is very different above and blow this point. Below the
merger, the stream is much broader and open to the sky at
most points and the floodplain is much wider on average.
Wide, sandy bars are common at meanders. Above the
confluence, the river is narrow andaften completely overhung
by trees. Bars and bar communities ar+e'"much,,less common.
The water quality of the stream is good throughout .(the
stream is designated a state High Quality Water) but
deteriorates some downstream of Lumberton where several
municipal and industrial sources deposit effluent in the
stream. In my experience, the-river is unique among Coastal
Plain blackwater streams for its rate of flow which is high,
even in times of low water. The gradient of the river bed is
1
r.
about 1.7feet per mile of river. Average elevations near
AtY
Wagram are around 230 feet while elevations at the South
Carolina border are around 57 feet.
Land use along the river is remarkably uniform. The
only large urban area along the river is Lumberton. Outside
of Lumberton, upland sites adjacent or embedded in the
floodplain are in agriculture, while the floodplain itself
has been used and is being used for forestry. Most timbering
seems to have last occurred between 1900-1930, but this is
only an estimation based on size of trees. Some sites along
the river have been developed for recreational use (river
cottages, swimming sites, boat ramps, picnic sites), but
these are usually small and not uniformly distributed.
PLANT COMMUNITIES
The floodplain of the river contains examples of at
least six communities as identified by Shalfale and Weakley
(1990). These communities are Sand and Mud Bar (SMB),
Coastal Plain Levee Forest (Blackwater Subtype) (CPLF),
Cypress-gum Swamp (Blackwater Subtype) (CS), Coastal Plain
Bottomland Hardwoods (Blackwater Subtype) (CPBH), Pine
Savannah (PS)and Xeric Sandhill Scrub (XSS).
CPLF, CS and CPBH are distributed in the.floodplain
throughout the study area. CPBH is the single most common
community, I estimate it covers 60% or more of the total land
area surveyed. CPLF comprises perhaps 15% of surveyed land
2
7601
loo?
- Ni
Ho"cy cJff7 RO•ah. WOODS
(S a te.s bovy 4uak i P2 1 9 57)
Nit T
;? ? 1 ?\?.-•?.;. `_I \I?Sp ? °., ? .err;
:\?• ? .\ ' `-'?r ?.-'?J- f< ,? ; ? n : Ji ? /GJ ?G'O ± ,,ice\.. ? ??. ; ("„?/ \ ?C-- ? ? _
\`` ? • ; / /^? \, ?? ? 1 ? ,.-?` JC?t ? r\" ?•?? X50 ?_., i•,? ?; ?pI ~' I ? i 1? : ???\ ? ?? N?? - ` - \\ \\ -' _ ' ?
i. /Vt`.,••.°,li F\ v -'?1/ , r tt e t IY/ ?` \
t' ,,V7tl:- - N V' •:1 l/ . •(' •11' `?j• iN. ` j -,r,- \ ? `• s -r
1A 1\Jil
rosma
?ur?
/? \I °??' \•. 1 ? ? rte, i' ?` r ?,.,,..•' ti??a..\= ?\ -?
, •.? ...i x ??\? • .aa?'? i??^? / '•. •S` \?? C' . ..\\ .? x678 r ? (J/ r •?;
01
n
r r. 7 '•...? ? Oi^ ?. ? 3S ? ?? N Imo,- r .
' ?r 1 ??; ii 1 ° '`'?.??• 1911 -L. ? / \ '. ..??? `? ?r?C `?`"rl• i ..?i1 ?` ? ..
690
6so
IN
-?? •R?' •?Fti; ?e \?? • •. (iy oi'I Nb h~, •'?sa 1Z?2 '•?
J3tLukn_ ?.J '.1 :1 • 1 1912 •ti? .r .. •?: 'i• .IA..ii i 9eh? «' /"`:
y `- . .. Ch (:.f... .tt .? ?? `^ p. , , - ?.e, ;x a :? \ .'/ • - bl t\.
° HAWKI ? ? < .j ? J J(? is a •?? ?\? '? n ,
1912 t ,If `- _ ,\ ( •`?\\, ?• °_
37
O3 _ o-?--v11
Site name: Grants Creek/Yadkin River wetlands complex
Significance: Regional integrity: Good
Site number: RN 21
DN 2
Threat status: Moderate
Location: Rowan and Davidson 'Counties; North of Spencer and immediately west of
1-85 along Yadkin River and mouth of Grants Creek.
U&S 4uad: Salisbury 1987
Approximate acreage: 400 - 650 acres
Reasons for significance: This. maybe a case study of natural succession
claiming a human-altered riverine•system. If preserved, it could develop and
remain as a high-quality Piedmont riverine/palustrine natural area for the
future. It is a complex assortment of fluvial landforms and vegetation types.
There are large and good examples of herb and shrub palustrine communities,
including sand and mud Bar, Floodplain Pool, "Sloughs, Marshes and Glades," and
Alluvial Forest. A rare Low Elevation seep community is present. Seep
communities are possible habitat for the four-toed salamander (Bemidactylium
scutatum) (SC,-; S3,G5).-Y,Nice, small stands of large Populus deltoides (24-36")
are present, a species which may be important nesting habitat for the cerulean
warbler (Dendroica cerulea) (SR,-; S3,G5). The presence of several coastal Plain
plant disjuncts indicates some interesting floristic relationships. slum suave
(W6) and Bumelia lycioides (W7,-; S2S3,G5) are present. The area is an important
waterbird and waterfowl habitat, especially in the winter.
General description: This area consists primarily of fluvial landforms of the
Yadkin River and associated wetlands at the mouth of a large tributary stream
(Grants Creek). It lies near major transportation corridors and
industrial /urbanized areas, but it remains in an undeveloped state because of the
physiography. There is a large mix of pools, backwater sloughs, channels, bars,
alluvial flats, and broad, gently sloping terraces. There are some small steeper
slopes at the fringe of the natural area. A variety of palustrine communities
is developed on these landforms. Most of the forests are young to mid-aged
successional or recovering second-growth types, but there are some older forests
averaging 20" dbh. Species important on sand and Mud Bar communities are salir
nigra, Acer saccharinum, and Cephalanthus occidentalis. Sloughs, marshes, and
glades, often associated with Floodplain Pools are typically dominated by coarse
herbaceous vegetation such as Juncus effusus, saururus cernuus, Polygonum app.,
Lu&dgia spp. , Hibiscus xUltarss, and Rumea verticillatus, but Cephalanthus
occidentalis and salir nigra may be important here also. Canopy dominance of the
Alluvial Forest varies widely by site. Prominent species in this forest include
Acer saccharinum, Frazinua pennsylvanica, Populus deltoides, Acer negundo, Betula
nigra, Quercus lyrata, and Platanus occidentalis, but other species are also
present. Common shrubs and vines include Corns amomum, I1ex decidua, viburnum
nudum, v. dentatum, and Rhus radicans. The most abundant herbs are Impatiens
sp., Boehmeria cyllmdrica, Saururus cernuus, Lysimachia nummularla, Laportea
canadensia, Carer spp., and Srigeron canadensls, but many others are present.
A small Low Elevation seep community, with peatmoss (sphagnum sp.) important, is
found on an upper terrace (probably outside the boundary of the recommended
natural area).
Comments: It is postulated that flooding/sedimentation cycles prevailing since
the construction of High Rock Reservoir in 1927 are largely responsible for the
present character of this system. Previously, it was probably a more typical
forested or cleared Piedmont floodplain with swamp, bottomland and levee
communities. Floodplain pools were probably not as common as they are today.
Protection status and management recommendations: It appears that Alcoa owns all
but very small portions of the land that is recommended for natural area status.
It is hard to imagine that much economic use could be made of most of this area,
but timber harvesting is always a possibility with modern equipment. Alcoa would
likely be amenable to conservation of this tract for the public interest. Alcoa
owns many other tracts in the Yadkin River corridor that should be protected.
Negotiations should be pursued to protect all these lands under an umbrella
38
conservation agreement. Alcoa owns lands on bot;sides of the river at this
natural area. Most of the Alcoa tract here is.eurrently included in the NC
wildlife Resources commission's gamelands program. An immediate threat is the
possible construction of a sewerage outfall line through or near the area. The
city of Salisbury is presently studying two alternate sites for modernization and
reconstruction of its wastewater treatment plant located on Grants Creek. The
Sowers Farm site joins the natural area boundary and may even be partially
included in the natural area on the south side. it is not known whether an
easement would be sought through,.,Alcoa property. Disturbances from heavy
recreational use of the river-is a'factor here, but there is probably not much
that can be done about it. Acy fromthe banks, however, human intrusion is
minimal or absent.
Ownership: Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa),,Badin works, PO Box 576, Badin,
NC 28009. Land is managed by.Yadkin, Inc.'at.'the same address (Julia Larson,
Resource Management Administrator, 704/422`-5679).
39
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Site name: High Rock Reservoir Wetlands site number: RN 22, 25
DN 3, 4
Significance: Regional Integrity: Fair Threat status: Moderate
Location Rowan and Davidson counties; upper section of High Rock Reservoir,
from east of I-85 to large south bend in the reservoir.
USGS Ouad: Salisbury 1987, southmont 1987
Approximate acreage: 750 - 15:1Q acres, including open water
Reasons for significance: The High.Roc,,X Reservoir wetlands natural area and the
adjacent Grants Creek/Yadkin ii Wetlands complex natural area comprise what
may be the largest wetlands assemblage on the Yadkin River system. Taken
together, they do constitute the vast ma3o; of the total wetlands associated
with High Rock Reservoir. Remaining .wetlgn the reservoir are almost all
small fringe wetlands around coves and uper `ends of larger creeks. The High
Rock Reservoir wetlands are significant primarily because of their habitat value
for waterfowl. These wetlands are important for resident wood duck nesting
habitat and for migrating:'and wintering waterfowl species. The shallow waters
of the backswamps and sloughs provide excellent foraging areas, and adjacent
deeper waters provide good roosting areas. This area probably holds the highest
concentration of fall and winter waterfowl in the region.
General description: This is a large system of fluvial landforms, low slopes and
open water in the upper reaches of High Rock Reservoir. Backwater sloughs,
potholes, bars, islands, channels, alluvial flats, and terrace are included.
Much of the alluvium is very recent. Many of the landforms present were not in
existence 40 years ago. Massive flows of accreting sediment are responsible for
these new lands. A lot of the flows and flats also are shifting in space through
time. There is no question that the area as a whole is now trapping a large part
of the sediment load of the Yadkin River. Recent aerial photography, taken at
low drawdown level of the reservoir, reveals currently massive sediment
aggradation around the large south bend of the reservoir.
Aggradation is resulting in the formation of islands, flats and bars that
are rapidly vegetated. several areas not present in the mid-1950s are now well-
vegetated. The natural communities present are all very similar to those found
in the adjacent Grants Creek/Yadkin River wetlands complex natural area (the
description for that area should be consulted for natural communities). The
major difference is that older successional and maturing communities are not as
widespread, indicating an overall essentially younger system. communities
present include sand and mud Bar, Floodplain Pool, Alluvial sloughs, Marshes and
Glades," and Piedmont Alluvial Forest. The larger islands and the geologically
older bars and terraces have larger-statured alluvial forest. Most of the system
is in successionally young bars, flats, islands, pools, and backwaters.
Biologically, these communities are in average to good quality. However,
human impacts detract from the natural and aesthetic integrity of the system as
a whole. The area is heavily used for fishing, waterfowl hunting and
recreational boating. In many places, shorelines are heavily littered with trash
and debris. The integrity is compromised by adjacent land use on several sides,
including the I-85 transportation corridor on the west, the southern Railroad and
Linwood Yards on the north side, and Duke Power Company's Buck Steam Station and
substations on the southwest. Four transmission lines traverse the area in the
middle and western sections. Industrial noise is often prominent. The east and
southeast sections are bounded by open water and undisturbed lands. However, in
spite of all the negative factors, and because the only significant access is by
boat, the area does retain a sense of isolation and appeal.
Cements: Apparently in an effort to deal with sediment and channel problems,
Duke Power Company has raised the option of constructing a diversion weir for the
area in front of the Buck Steam Station. The effect of this potential point
impact on the area is not known.
Protection status and management recommendations: The North Carolina Wildlife
Resources commission controls a 126 acre tract; the remainder of the area is
41
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. ... 4

_r
owned by Alcoa. All.of the area is in the N.C. G Lands system. The area is
well-known by waterfowl hunters, d it apparel ly has been important for
waterfowl for many decades. Politically, it would be very difficult to establish
it as a refuge. This was attempted several years ago and the proposal was
strongly.Cesisted by many hunters who view the area as the only public waterfowl
hunting area to which they have access. The NCWRC and some sportsmen,s groups
had advocated refuge establishment, but the sentiment at public hearings was
overwhelmingly against the concept. Informational signage and public education
could help protect the area from abuse. some of the area may be suitable for
intensive waterfowl managemen't'-activities by the NCWRC and. Alcoa. No other
special management activities;.; e-recommended. Formal recognition of the area
as an important natural resource.should-be sought, possibly as part of a package
of several Alcoa-owned tracts th4t.-.should be recognized and protected.
ownership: Greatest part is owned by Alumi: ?•Ccnpany of America (Alcoa), Badin
Works, PO Box 576, Badin, NC 28009. . Al q kis managed by Yadkin, Inc. at
the same address (Julia Larson, Resource Administrator, 704/422-5679).
The eastern portion (up to 126 acres, if uded) is controlled by the North
Carolina wildlife Resource's Commission (Linwood Game Land).
42
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Site name: LeogOrd Road Slopes Site number: 24
Significance: Regional Integrity: very Good Threat status: slight
Location: East of Spencer and I-85 and north of Leonard Road (CR 2168); between
Leonard Road and High Rock Reservoir.° `.
USGS Ouad: Southmont 1987` `n
Approximate acreage: 50 (80) acres t
Reasons for significance: This area' i$ •nateworthy "because it includes large
examples of good to high quality Mesic' Mixed Hardwood Forest and fair to good
large examples of Basic Mesic Forest.'-The high tau ,species diversity overall
and the lush herb strata in :,.the more basic '"apples also make the site
significant. There is a good likelihood that some rare basic mesic species could
turn up here. This is the only known location for Cypripedium calceclus in the
region. canopy diversity is very high in the Basic Mesic Forest community.
General description: This is part of a relatively isolated forested tract
between High Rock Reservoir to the north and agricultural land to the south. A
series of narrow ridges with steep to moderate slopes and uplands have a
northerly orientation, and most slopes face north, east and west above arms and
reaches of High Rock Reservoir. The elevation ranges between 624 to 7001. The
geology consists of interbedded felsic to mafic tuffs and flowrock and some
metamorphosed gabbro and diorite. virtually all the forest communities are
terrestrial; High Rock Reservoir inundates the lowest portions of the slopes and
only very small fringe alluvial forests or other wetlands occur around the arms
of the reservoir in ravines. In a few small spots, the slope drops almost
vertically to the reservoir. Much of the flatter upland ridges are successional
old fields or rather heavily cut areas. Cutting severity has varied by site in
the natural area. The three predominant communities in the natural area are
Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, Basic Oak--Hickory Forest and Basic Mesic Forest.
Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest occupies the steep generally north-facing slopes
above the reservoir. one example is in excellent condition and occurs over about
eight acres. It is cut by several small ravines. The larger canopy trees
average 20" dbh, but many are up to 36" dbh. Tagus grandifolia and Quercus alba
shift in dominance throughout the site. other important canopy species are
Quercus rubra, Liriodendron tulipifera, Carya ovata, and Q. velutina. 7111a
heterophylla, Acer saccharum, Cornus florida, and Carpinus caroliniana are among
the subcanopy trees. Samamelis virginiana and Viburnum acerifolium are important
shrubs. Herb diversity is high and moderately dense. Important species include
Iris cristata, Cimicifuga racemoza, smiIacina racemosa, Thelypteris
heragonoptera, Uvularia perfoliata, sanguinaria canadensis, Trillium cuneatum,
and Desmodium nudiflorum. In steeper and rocky places, the canopy is more open,
and Poaceae, Luzula sp. and mosses become more important.
There are fair to good examples of Basic Oak--Hickory Forest, covering most
of the area on the more extensive upper slopes and ridges. Past cutting has
modified this older second-growth forest, where many trees are in the 20-24" dbh
range. Canopy dominants include Quercus alba, Q. rubra, Q. coccinea, Liquidambar
styraciflua, W riodendron tulipifera, Carya tomentosa, and Prazinus americana.
species important in the understory include Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida,
Acer rubrum, Carya tomentosa, Prazinus americana, and Pagus grandifolia. some
large pine were cut out in places where pine occurred. Mesic herbs present
include Polystichum acrostichoides, Podophyllum peltatum, Galium circaezans,
Chimaphila maculata, and Botrychium virginianum.
A Basic Mesic Forest appears to develop on the lower and gentler side slopes
on protected aspects, totaling about seven acres in all. None of the examples
are old. Larger trees are usually in the 10-15" dbh range. Understory is
typically dense. Heavy shade is characteristic. The canopy diversity is very
high. As many as 13 taxa were noted on one small one-fourth acre site. Acer
saccharum (to 15" dbh) and Tilia heterophylla seem to be most important. Next
in importance are Quercus rubra, 1Pagus grandifolia, Prazinus americana, Carya
ovata, and W riodendron tulipifera. other species include Robinia pseudo-acacia
(some 15-20" dbh), Carya cordiformis, Dlmus rubra, Halesia carolina (to 10" dbh),
and Quercus shumardii. some shrubs found here include Aesculus sylvatica,
44

Hydrangea arborescens, Staphylea trifolia, viburnum acerifolium, and Corylus
americana. Many of the herbs found in the adjacent communities are here, but
additional taxa include oemorhiza claytonii, viola eriocarpa, Polygonatum
biflorum, Azarum canadense, and Arabis laevigata. in large parts of mostly young
examples of this community, the herb layer was exceptionally lush. There were
literally acres upon acres of solid stands of Osmorbiza claytonti, viola
eriocarpa, and Asarum canadense..
r
Comments: The relationship betwe-'i`tHe t'?ree described communities is not clear.
Transition occurs over very broad :;'ec4d odes, and except for extremes, it was
difficult to assign many areas to a, community type. Also, the soil and site
relations are not very clear.
Protection status and management recommendatic :.: This area needs only to be
left alone and not managed for timber. The area is a portion of a larger 280
acre tract owned by Alcoa. Given the generally steeper slopes, forestry would
not appear to be a practical option on this 50 acre proposed natural area. (An
additional 30 acres to the west might also qualify for inclusion once
sufficiently investigated.) A protection agreement with Alcoa should be a
realistic option. A generous protective buffer needs to be determined and should
be included as a southern boundary. Alcoa owns many other tracts in the Yadkin
River Corridor that should be protected. Negotiations should be pursued to
protect all these lands under an umbrella conservation agreement. Only a few
fishermen and hunters use the area now. some fishing activity has resulted in
some destructive impact along the banks of one of the coves.
Ownership: Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa), Badin Works, Po Box 576, Badin,
NC 28009. Alcoa land is managed by Yadkin, Inc. at the same address (Julia
Larson, Resource Management Administrator, 704/422-5679).
45
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46

03-0-3--b k
Site name: Tuckertown Bluffs
Site number: 39
Significance: state-Regional integrity: Prime Threat status: slight
Location: East of River Road (CR 2152) about 1.5 miles north of stokes Ferry
Road (CR 1004), below wildlife AccessL Area, on a large bluff protruding into
Tuckertown Reservoir.
USGS ouad: High Rock 1980 .
Approximate acreage: 34 acres
Reasons for significance: This natural area--is -in exceptional example of high
quality Piedmont Beath Bluff community covering a large': area (nearly 30 acres).
This is a somewhat rare community type: It' does not appear that the major
portion of the-bluff has ever been cut or otherwise disturbed. Very large old-
growth specimens of Quercus prinue-and Pinus echinata are present. At least two
rare species occur here, Amorpha schwerinii (C,-; s2,G2G3) and Pan icum bicknellii
(w7,-; S1S2,G5). Several other species are rare in the immediate region (Galax
aphylla, Symplocos tinctoria, castanea pumila, Ilex ambigua var. montana). The
site has high aesthetic appeal. The site may be the most rugged area of
significant size in Rowan County.
General description: The natural area occupies an extremely rugged, very
isolated bluff above Tuckertown Reservoir and far away from roads. The bluff
terminates a broad, gently sloping to flat ridge that is surrounded on three
sides by the reservoir. The elevation range is from 565 to 7411. Large
outcroppings with huge boulders occur over large portions of the bluff. The
bluff is cliff-like in places. The entire section is forested. Large tracts in
the section have been converted to pine monoculture, but large tracts of
successional hardwood/pine and second-growth selectively cut forest remain. The
site lies in the Carolina Slate Belt, and soils are uwharrie very stony loams.
one primary natural community is recognized in this natural area. Piedmont
Heath Bluff covers 20 or more acres of the 34 acres included in the proposed
boundary. This is a high quality old-growth community. it grades into Piedmont
Monadnock Forest on the crest and knobs and Dry Oak--Hickory Forest on the
gentler slopes away from the bluff proper. These latter communities have been
selectively cut in the past, but they provide an excellent buffer zone.
The canopy of the Beath Bluff is semi-open and about 75, in height. Trees
are mostly 20-25" dbh. stature increases, and trees are not as gnarled, inside
coves and around points. It does not appear that any trees were ever cut below
the crest. A few old-growth Pinus echinata and Quercus priinus were high-graded
away from the crest where access was possible (soma very old stumps are evident).
No wet spots or seeps were found on the bluff, though it is possible that some
could be on the lower slope. Except where dense heath prevails, the litter is
mostly open and bare. There are lots of mossy spots and moss-covered rock. Rock
outcropping is extensive. Reindeer lichen (Cladonia sp.) is abundant.
Quercus prinus (25",, 32", 36", 36" dbh) is clearly the most important canopy
tree, abundant on most sites. Other, mostly dry oaks, are uncommon, including
Quercus albs (20" dbh), Q. falcata (20" dbh), 0. velut.ina (16" dbh), and Q.
coccinea. some other canopy species present are old-growth Pinus echinata (12".
210, 25" dbh and some fallen trees), P. virgimiana (14" dbh), Nyasa sylvatica
(14-, 18", 20" dbh), and carya glabra. Acer rubrum and oxydendrum arboreum are
the most abundant trees in the subcanopy. other trees common in the subcanopy
are Amelanchier arborea, corns florid, Ilex opaca (6", 8" dbh), Pinua echinata,
Carya glabra, and Quercus prima.
The shrub layer varies from 0 to 100%, but it is well-developed over most
of the bluff. i[almfa latifolia and Rhododendron maximum, many of large size, are
dominant. Rhododendron extends to the top of the bluff. other common shrubs are
Styrax grandifolia, Vaccinium arboreum, V. staminetm, V. vacillans, V.
corymbosum, viburnum acerifol.ium, Symplocos tinctoria, and chionanthus
virginicus. Vitis rotundifolia is common. The herb layer is sparse, but
commonly includes Galax aphylla, Chimaphila maculate, Epigaea repens, Polypodium
virginianum, and Panicum bicknellii. At least four plants of Amorpha schverinii
were noted, in each of four different areas.
47
Comments: It is an exceptionally nice and clean site. No human disturbance' was
noted. There is good potential for other rare dry site species. The area is
very difficult (even dangerous) to negotiate because of the rugged terrain; the
impenetrable heath, huge boulders and cliff areas make traversal of the slope
extremely difficult. The dense rhododendron and laurel heath stratum
approximates the size and height of y? ,.Mountain heath communities. only a
small transect of the bluff was seen
Protection status and maaactement rectioas; This is a high priority site
for protection. It should be protec e4,? tom any longing that might be planned
by Alcoa in this area. The boundaries •ake prettgdwell-defined in the field
because cutting has occurred on all gentle= slopes and to'the crest of the ridge.
Large pine monocultures have been established in the vicinity. Though it would
be impossible to establish pine_.,on the bluff,I,cutting would still be a
possibility with modern equipment. A substantial buffer that includes the crest
of the ridge should be established It is recommended that no logging roads be
established nearby to prevent any adverse human use of the bluff. At present,
this site has high integrity because it is not easy to get to by hunters or other
users, and it has been isolated by dense regenerating forests for a long time.
A natural area registration agreement may be all that is necessary to protect the
site. Alcoa owns many other tracts in the Yadkin River corridor that should be
protected. Negotiations should be pursued to protect all these lands under an
umbrella conservation agreement.
Ownership: Aluminum company of America (Alcoa), Badin Works, Po Box 576, Badin,
NC 28009. Alcoa land is managed by Yadkin, Inc. at the same address (Julia
Larson, Resource Management Administrator, 704/422-5679).
48

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SLATE BELT SECTION
51
p3-°}-04
Site name: Woodson Farm Tract Site number: 90
Significance: County-Local Intearity: Fair Threat status: slight
Location: About 11 miles southeast of Salisbury and two miles southeast of
Liberty. At end of Woodson Road (SR 236T?Jy 'off the east side of St. Matthews
Church Road (SR 2140).
T
UGS Quad: Gold Hill 1962 `
proximate acreage: 56 acres
Reasons for significance: This site contains a,repreeentative example of mature
Dry Oak--Hickory Forest in fair condition.
General description: The site lies on a forested low, flat ridge that is drained
by small ravines on the east and west sides. It is surrounded by farmlands, cut-
over woodlands, and young successional oak-hickory forests containing a lot of
pine and Liriodendron tulipifera. Several old forest roads run through the
tract, and some small junk piles are present. Hurricane Hugo did a lot of damage
in this natural area. Salvage-cutting of downed trees has occurred. The damage
doesn,t look serious now, probably because most of the downed trees have been
removed. Logging was done rather delicately, but logging trails are evident.
Most of the openings are now filled with dense transgressives and shrubs.
Reportedly, this was once a very superb tract with high visual appeal (no logging
having occurred since the early 1900s), but now most of the larger trees are
gone.
The area is located in the Carolina Slate Belt over metamorphic rocks of
phyllite and schist that are locally laminated and pyritic. There are some small
outcroppings and numerous large quartz rocks occur on the surface. The part
recognized as natural area is on uwharrie silt loam soils on very gentle slopes.
The elevation range is between 720-750 feet.
The greatest portion of the tract identified as natural area is classified
as Dry Oak--Hickory Forest. The site index is high. Canopy trees are nice,
thrifty specimens. Many of the largest trees were felled by the hurricane. The
average dbh of the remaining largest trees is 15-20"., but the smaller trees and
saplings reduce the overall dbh to 10-120. The dominant trees are Quercus
coccinea (up to 27" dbh), Q. falcate (up to 30" dbh), and Q. albs (up to 22"
dbh). There are some spots with greater importance of Quercus stellata (up to
16" dbh). other canopy trees include Quercua velutina, Liriodendron tulipifera,
Pinus echfnata, Acer rubrum, and Carya app. There are a few large Oxydendrum
arboreum. There are successional phases throughout, with a few spots having more
pine and JUniperus virginiana, or larger T i riodendron tulipifera and Acer rubrum.
Common to abundant species in the subcanopy are oxydendrum arboreum, Cornus
florida, Acer rubrum, and Prunus serotina. other taxa are rare to uncommon in
the subcanopy. The shrub layer is predominantly ericaceous, with the most
abundant species including vaccin m vacillans, v. stamineum, P. tenellum, and
Gaylussacia frondosa. s dlaz rotundifolia is the only common vine. The herb
layer is sparse, but includes Ch maphila maculata, Danthonia spicata, and
Andropogon sp. The overall quality is considered fair, given the fact that
salvage-logging has occurred.
There is one small area of about one-half acre developed in upland
Depression Swamp Forest. This occurs at the head of a very shallow draw. It-is
a nice community, in good condition, and dominated by Quercus phellos (average
10-12" dbh). Some other trees are present. The canopy includes common Carpinus
caroliniana. Oniola laaa and peatmoss (sphagnum sp.) are abundant.
A small section of very young successional hardwood forest in the northern
end of the tract is included in the natural area because it is contiguous and
makes for a nice natural boundary.
Comments: There is a relatively large area on a flat to the southeast of the
proposed natural area that is developed in a community intermediate between Xeric
Hardpan Forest and Dry oak--Hickory Forest, with the canopy dominated by Quercus
stellata. The average dbh of the larger trees is 8-10", and stem density is
high. The site includes small wet draws and depressions. The quality is
53
considered only fair, but had it been more obviously contiguous with the other
tract described above, it would have been included in the natural area boundary.
Protection status and manaaement recommendations: The tract considered here is
part of a very large estate that was pieced together over many years. A natural
area registration agreement could be soq:#, but.the caretaker (Albert Morgan)
who has lived on the land since 1941 rs that'the owners probably would not
be interested in protection measures -Tfi t area- would be adequately protected by
' ply leaving it alone, with no further,' er cutting or salvage-logging. some
,the junk could be cleaned up.
Ownership: Woodson Curd Limited Co., 1325 Lakewood Drive, SW, Roanoke, VA 24015
(703/344-3303). .
54
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site name: Panther Creek Hardpan Forest and Depression swamps
Site number: 88 and 99
Significance: Regional integrity.- Good Threat status: Strong
f-
Location: About 12 miles southeast of :aL-sbury In eastern section of area
bounded by_ Bringle Ferry Road (SR 1002) -on:4ie north and Panther Creek Road (SR
2. A ,on the south.
IIS .., uad: Gold Hill 1902
Approximate acreage: 11 acres, 17 acres
Reasons for significance: The area is significant because of the presence of a
small tract of old "Mesic Hardpan Forest" and.a large tract of a variant of
Upland Depression swamp Forest. LeGrand and Oakley (1992) concluded that as much
as 120 acres in this area was good quality Mesic Hardpan Forest. Additional
investigation and interpretation is necessary before determining how much of the
potential acreage should be included in defined natural area boundaries. The
area as a whole could be judged significant because of the way in which
characteristics of commonly understood community types are being expressed.
LeGrand and Oakley report the presence of Quercus bicolor (wl,-; 52,G5) in the
Upland Depression swamp Forest.
General description: in this area of very flat terrain, the elevation ranges
between 640-670 feet. The general area is largely forested, but large parts have
recently been clearcut. A large early successional clearcut occurs in the
central part of the area. Evidence of selective cutting is widespread. Intact
forests vary from low to good quality; canopy trees average 6-12" dbh. A range
of moisture conditions exists on these upland and nonalluvial flats. There are
lots of shallow and hydric depressions. The location is within the Carolina
Slate Belt of metamorphic rocks that appear to be metamudstone and meta-
argillite, interbedded with metasandstone, metaconglomerate, and metavolcanic
rock. The predominant soil in the vicinity is Lignum silt loam, but site #88 is
over Cid-Lignum complex soils. There are a few small areas of Badin channery
silt loam in the vicinity.
The general area is a mixture of subxeric and submesic community types.
Quercus phellos is dominant throughout. Carya carolinae-septentrionalls is
abundant. Subdominants are Quercus alba, Q. stellata, Q. coccinea, Q. velutina,
Nyasa sylvatica, and Acer rubrum. Peatmoss (Sphagnum sp.), oniola laxa, and
Danthonia apicata are abundant throughout. LeGrand and Oakley describe a "Mesic
Hardpan Forest," Xeric Hardpan Forest, and a variant of upland Depression swamp
Forest, all present in the vicinity. For this inventory report, only two areas
containing good quality examples of Depression swamp and Mesic Hardpan
communities are recognized.
A large good example of young upland Depression swamp Forest occurs in site
#99. It occupies a large flat of several acres, with the entire site mapped as
about 17 acres. The closed canopy is almost exclusively Quercus phellos (6-12"
dbh). There are occasional Quercus m1chauxii, carya carolinae-septentrionalis,
vlmus spp., biquidambar styraciflua, and Acer rubrum. The sparse understory is
dominated by Ilex opaca, but u1mus anericana, U. alata, and other Ilex Opp. are
present. shrubs are almost non-existent, but Viburnum dentatum is present.
Lonicera japonica and campsis radicans are present. Juncus effusus occurs, and
sphagnum sp. was dominant in patches. There is a braided drainage pattern, and
a .small ditch is present, apparently dug in an attempt to drain the swamp. The
depression does not have a well-defined rim and is flat throughout, but it does
pond water at times where microtopography permits ponding.
site #88 is here called "Mesic Hardpan Forest" (name adopted from LeGrand
and Oakley). It is a small tract of about 11 acres consisting of old forest
where cutting has long been absent. it is in excellent condition and completely
under one ownership.
As described by LeGrand and Oakley, the Mesic Hardpan Forest is a variant
of Dry Oak--Hickory Forest with characteristics of Basic Oak--Hickory Forest and
Xeric Hardpan Forest. The canopy is 60-70 feet tall and mostly closed. in other
places, the forest is more stunted and the canopy more open, but not to the
56
degree of typical Xeric Hardpan Forest. In some areas, Quercus phellos and Q.
stellata are the dominant canopy species; in other areas, there is shared Q.
falcata-Q. stellata dominance or Pinus schimata-Q. falcata-Q. stellata dominance.
In many places, Carya ovata is present in appreciable numbers. The understory
is moderately dense in most places, and.thp most dominant understory species are
Juniperus virginiana, Ilea opaca, and Liqu dmibar styraciflua saplings. slew
verticillata is common in some areas ,RJkher species present are Chionanthus
cus, Ulmus alata, D. rubra, and. "Cai !f ua caroliniana. Small shrubs are
se, but there are infrequent smah,}ga?,Ches-of either vaccinium tenellum, v.
eum, Hypericum stragalum, H. hypericodes, or moss carolina. In one place,
e is a dense layer of Gaylussacia frdiu osa-and,!aUax rotundifolia beneath
a Pins echinata-Q. stellata canopy. The herb layer, is sparse, without real
dominants, except where Uniola laaa or Dontbonia sp. exist in patches. Both
reindeer lichen (Cladonia sp.) and peatmoss (Sphagawu,sp.) are scattered
throughout, and other mosses are present. LeGrand and Oakley reported 120 acres
of good quality Mesic Hardpan Forest.
Comments: The clearcut land that lies between the two sites along Bringle Ferry
Road has been surveyed into lots, but, reportedly, development fell through
because of wet soils.
windthrow was not common in this area. There is a surprising absence of
weedy species.
The entire vicinity of several hundred acres needs to be more thoroughly
examined. There is potential for other good quality sites, and more field work
seems necessary to define the communities that are actually present in the area.
LeGrand and Oakley reported a small (2-3 acre) area of typical Xeric
Hardpan Forest in the vicinity. It was drier, more stunted, more open, and it
had a grassier herb layer. canopy dominants were Q. stellata and Q. marilandica.
Juniperus virginiana• was abundant in the understory. Both Danthonia sp. and
Andropogon scoparius were present.
Protection status and management reco=endations• Site #88 should have a high
priority for preservation. The property should be protected with a natural area
registration agreement. Tracts of such high integrity are ever more scarce in
the eastern part of Rowan County, and logging is a constant threat. If the
adjacent clearcut property should be developed, there will no good buffer for
Site #88.
It should be possible to secure an agreement with Alcoa to protect site
#99. The ditch should be blocked. Alcoa owns many other tracts in the Yadkin
River corridor that should be protected. Negotiations should be pursued to
protect all these lands under an umbrella conservation agreement.
Ownerships The hardpan forest (site #88) is owned by John and Betty Barringer,
10110 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28144 (704/633-6791). The swamp forest
(site #99) is owned by the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa), Badin works, PO
Box 576, Badin, NC 28009. Alcoa land is managed by Yadkin, Inc. at the same
address (Julia Larson, Resource Management Administrator, 704/422-5679). The
Barringers and Florence P. Miller (2620 Ribelin Rd., Salisbury, NC 28146) own
the middle sections between the two sites that are not here included within
natural area boundaries and recognized only as potential areas.
Documentation references:
LeGrand, H., and S. Oakley. 1992b. site survey report for Panther creek Hardpan
Forest. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
57
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site name: wyatts Grove church Road Prairie Birdfoot-Trefoil site
Site number: 87
sianificance: State-Regional Integrity: Fair Threat status: Moderate
Location: Approximately one mile we st,'04601etown. From 0.2 - 0.5 mile south
EFingle Ferry Road (SR 1002) on W46 ":Grove church Road (SR 2143).
ands Gold Hill 1962
A =imate acreage: Possibly up to'four acres of roadsides
Reasons for significance: This site contains a large population of Prairie
birdfoot-trefoil (Lotus helleri) (C,C2; S20143),
General description: This population was first, discovered in 1991 by Alan
Weakley of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. study of the site for
this inventory seems to extend and increase the size of the population as
reported by Weakley.
In 1993, there were clearly over 1000 individual plants present in the
area. The habitat consists of open wide roadsides. Plants occur individually
or in dense groups along both sides of the road. The associated vegetation is
weedy and quite sparse in large parts. The species assemblage of which Lotus is
a part includes reindeer lichen (Cladonia sp.), Dauthonia spicata, Panicum sp.,
Lespedeaa spp., Eypericum sp., Senecio smallii (tentative identification),
Solidago sp., Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Pycnanthemum sp., stylosanthes biflora,
benothera fruticosa, other grasses, Campsis radicans, and woody forest seedlings
and transgressives. The adjacent natural communities are mostly successional
mixed pine and Dry Oak--Hickory Forest.
The elevation of the site is between 635-670 feet. The slope is gentle,
and the aspect is generally southeast. The area is in the Carolina slate Belt
of metamorphic rocks in the Cid Formation which consists of metamudstone and
meta-argillite. No single soil type underlies the area. The soils mapped for
the area include Enon fine sandy loam, Sedgefield fine sandy loam, Zion-Enon
complex, Misenhei.mer-Kirksey complex, and Kirksey-Cid complex.
Protection status and manaaement recommendations: There is no evidence of
disturbances or potential threats that would jeopardize the population. The
plant seems to be thriving under mowed roadside conditions. As long as the area
is periodically mowed and open sunny conditions are maintained, the population
should be sustained. Mowing should be done in early summer before this annual
plant reaches maturity and becomes reproductive. A maintenance agreement with
the North Carolina Department of Transportation should be developed.
Ownership: The entire population is assumed to be on right-of-way owned by the
NCDOT.
Documentation references:
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program database, August 1993.
59
FEET
10 a. V
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Site name: Hinson Farm woods
Significance: County Integrity: Good
Site number: 86
Threat status: Slight
Location: Approximately 15 miles southeast.. of Salisbury near Pooletown.
Southeast side of Hinson Road (SR 2156:)<?apprximately 0.7 mile southwest of
intersection with River Road (SR 2152)
US High Rock 1980
A `soz ate acreage: 10 acres
Reasons for significance: This is an interesting area of mixed hydrology that
supports a forest type combining acidic and bssic elements.; The community has
tentatively been called Basic Hickory Forests.; ;This is'an' important site .to .
preserve because it is an example that might help resolve the distinctions among,
community types on dry sites.
General description: The immediate area, including this natural area, is
generally flat with forests in small blocks and in borders along drainages
surrounded by croplands. The elevation of the natural area is 625 feet, and the
terrain consists of upland and nonalluvial flats. There are dry and seasonally
wet communities. The area lies in the Carolina Slate Belt of metamorphic rocks
in the Cid Formation. Metamudstones and meta-argillites are interbedded with
metasandstone, metaconglomerate, and metavolcanic rock. soils over most of the
area are in the Cid-Lignum complex, but there is a small part in the eastern
section of the natural area underlain by Badin-Goldston complex soils.
The natural area described here is a portion of a larger possibly 20 acre
tract. It is part of a farm that has remained as forest while the surrounding
land has been cleared and cultivated for many years. Much of the land is poorly
drained and becomes saturated or ponds water in broad shallow poorly-drained
flats during wet seasons. Local farmers know the soil to be shallow and
underlain by stiff clays that obviously form a hardpan of sorts. It is possible
that this tract of forest remained as such because it was perceived to be too wet
to farm. The tract was reportedly selectively logged in 1968.
The community is tentatively assigned to the Basic Oak--Hickory type,
though it has some characteristics of Dry Oak--Hickory Forest and Xeric Hardpan
Forest. There are some upland Depression Swamp Forest communities in the
vicinity, but none in this natural area. A total of 17 species occur in the
canopy. The average dbh of canopy trees is about 12", and the largest trees
(usually Acer rubrum) are about 24" dbh. Density is 296 trees (>4 inches
dbh)/acre; basal area is 113 ft2/acre. Importance values have been calculated
(IV = 200). Acer rubrum is dominant (IV = 50). Subdominant species are carya
carolinae-septentrionalis (IV =30), Quercus stellata (IV = 22), Iler opaca (IV
= 21), and C. glabra (IV = 16). other species present in the canopy include
Quercus phellos, Q. alba, Q. coccinea, Q. falcata, Carya tomentosa, Liquidambar
styraciflun, Myssa sylvatica, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Juniperus virgi Jana.
The dominant species in the subcanopy is Ilea opaca. Shrubs and vines are sparse
but include vaccinium arboream, smilax rotundffolia, and Bypericum stragalum.
vanthonia sp3cata is common and is one of the few herbs present. Uniola
latifolia and carer sp. are in adjacent sites. smilax rotundifolfa, Rubus spp.,
and old field forbs and grasses form dense edges.
It may be that Acer rubrum is so important because of gap dynamics
following logging and because of the periodic wet hydrology. Ilea opaca may be
so important because it responded to release following partial canopy removal
through logging.
Comments: There are other potential natural areas in the general vicinity of
this site that have the same general vegetation on similar terrain. However, so
much of the forest is fragmented by agricultural patterns and logging activity
that it is hard to find intact units. species important on some of these areas
are Carya ovata, Quercus coccinea, and Q. falcata. Quercus wrilandica occurs
sporadically. There are lots of areas with poorly drained flats where Quercus
phellos and peatmoss (Sphagnum sp.) are abundant.
61
Protection status and management recommendations: The landowner occasionally
removes trees for posts'or firewood; :but not extensively. He may be willing to
allow this tract to remain undisturbed, as he has other forest stands from which
he could remove trees. A natural area registration agreement should be
considered.
Ownershiv: William C. Hinson, 475 Hinsojjiltd.=, Richfield, NC 28137 (704/633-
DdmejYtation references:
Frye ,,c. 1989x, Effectiveness of three methods"of vegetation sampling in a
disturbed hardwood forest. Laboratory report for General Ecology class,
Catawba college.
62

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Sitesame: Gold Hill schweinitz,s sunflower sites Site number: 63
Sianificance: state-Regional Intearity: Fair Threat status: Moderate
4 Location: Intersection of us 52 and old Beatty Ford Road (SR 2356 and 1221),
approximately 14 miles southeast of Salisbury
UsGS ouad: Gold Hill 1962
Avvroximate acreage 2.5 acres spread over gross area of 25 acres
Reasons for si i e: This complex of sites contains over 100 individuals
of the endangered _?einitz sunflower ($elianthus J946mInitzii) (E,E; s1,G1).
sabatia angula (W7:,-; s2,G4G5) and salix humini .;(W6) are present.
General lotion: Eight subpopulations of the schweinitz`;aunflower'exist on
open roa , generally.;under scrubby powerlines, and along railroad tracks.
The surro g vegetation is a mix of xeric and hydric forests. Much, of the dry
forests disturbed; or cut-over. The natural community types are Dry oak-
Hickorp Fo -. st and Upland Depression swamp Forest.
The terrain is flat, at about 725 feet elevation. The area lies over
metamorphic rocks of the Cid Formation in the Carolina Slate Belt. These are
felsic`i6etavolcanic rocks (dacitic to rhyolitic, interbedded with mafic and
intermediate forms). Various soils occur in the area, including Misenheimer-
Rirksey complex, Cid-Lignum complex, Badin-Goldston complex, and Udorthents.
The roadside scrub vegetation includes Bellanthus dfvarfcatus, H.
laetifloruz, SaUx humills, crataegus punctata, and Sabana quandrangula. The
adjacent swamp forest includes Quercus phellos, Brianthus sp., and peatmoss
(sphagnum sp.). The dry forest includes Quercus alba, Q. stellate, and .Pins sp.
open, wet/moist areas include Lobelia nuttalIJA, L. elongata, Agalinis purpurea,
Zdatr1 z gx=dx1fb11a, sagfttarfa latlfolia, SupatorPlum hyssopffollum, Lespedeza
virginlca, Fulrena squarrosa, and Sleoeharls sp.
The sites are of poor quality, in the sense that they are continuously
littered and disturbed by road maintenance activity and powerline maintenance.
Any actions which actually destroy plants or prevent reproduction should be
considered threats to the viability of the population. However, routine
maintenance activity is the factor that probably permits the population to
sustain itself by maintaining open conditions. No other threats or disturbances
seem imminent for the existing subpopulations.
The area is well-known to Natural Heritage Program staff, having been
recorded in the NHP database for many years. The last observations by NHP staff
apparently were in 1991. In late 1991, Matthews and Barden conducted plant
counts in the areas and discovered some additional subpopulations previously
unreported. Eight definable subpopulations were evident at the time of
preparation of this inventory report. Numerous reproductive individuals were
noted in the fall of 1994.
Comments: At least one large subpopulation (in an open area off of the roadside)
was destroyed by land clearing around 1988 on the east side of US 52, south of
old Beatty Ford Road.
Protection status and management recommendations: The open conditions necessary
to sustain these populations can be maintained by proper mowing of roadsides and
powerlines at a time of year that will not adversely affect the plants.
Apparently, some conservation management is already in place. DOT -Do Not Mow-
signs are present adjacent to the two subpopulations that are in the Natural
Heritage Program database.. Negotiations should be undertaken to develop similar
maintenance agreements for the remaining subpopulations.
Ownership: Most of the subpopulations are in right-of-way owned by the North
Carolina Department of Transportation. some are on right-of-way owned by
southern Railway. The Natural Heritage Program database indicates that a
powerline right-of-way is owned by the Uwharrie Electric membership cooperative.
some small portions of populations are likely on private lands.
64
'Documentation references:
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program database, August 1993.
Matthews, J., and L. Barden. 1991. surveys for Helianthua achwetnItail.
65
X011 Will Fla4-,.oeIs, wcsd- Gil C4a?
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Site name: Gold Hill Flatwoods, West End Site number: 92
Sianificance: State-Regional integrity: very Good Threat status: strong
Location: Approximately 12 miles southeast of Salisbury near Gold Hill,
northeast of Us 52. About 0.8 mile east of Gold Hill on south side of High Rock
Road (SR 2143).
OSGS Quad: Gold Hill 1962
Approximate acrea <75> acres
Reasons for signi ace: The communities repres4qnted here are not well-
preserved elsewhere. The Xeric Ha rdpan Forest (Slate`.Belt type), Dry Oak--
Hickory Forest, "Dry-'Oak--Heath Foust," and Upland Depression Swamp Forest form
a good mixture of fair to high-quality communities in one large area:
General description: This is a large forested area with low=.ridges forsping flat
to gently sloping terrain with broadly shallow drainages..: moisture conditions
range from x%ric to seasonally wet and inundated hydrology. The- elevation range
is between 720-745 feet. The area lees in the Carolina Slate Belt of metamorphic
rocks. The Aestern portion of the mapped area appears to be metamudstone and
meta-argillite of the Floyd Church Formation. The eastern portion appears to be
felsic metavolcanic rock of the Cid Formation. The predominant soil type
throughout the area is Cid-Lignum complex. Less common soils are Misenheimer-
Rirksey complex, Badin-Goldston complex, oakborc silt loam (frequently flooded),
and Badin channery silt loam.
The area mapped as natural area includes all the best-developed stands and
communities in the vicinity, but it also includes some successional,
transitional, and grazed woodlands. There is a fair amount of windthrow in the
region, and a lot of very thick undergrowth has developed around these windthrown
areas, particularly on lower topography. Many of these windthrown and thick
areas are adjacent to the natural area, but not included. outside the tentative
boundaries, large clearcuts and various successional forests occur.
Upland Depression Swamp community types are extensive within the natural
area. However, these communities are not formed in well-defined depressions as
usually understood. Most of the community type is located on broad flats
associated with drainageways. Lots of higher "hummock-like" microtopography
occurs within the context of this gross topography. The communities are in fair
to good condition, given the history of land disturbance. Some of the larger
areas are very open underneath, with lots of bare ground in broad shallow
depressions. The boundaries with Dry Oak--Hickory Forest are blurred in most
places. Trees generally range between 10-20" dbh, with an average dbh of about
15". Quercus phellos (16-24" dbh) is the dominant tree. There are lots of young
trees and larger individuals scattered about. Acer rubrum (16-20" dbh) becomes
quite important along the interior drains; transgressives are also more abundant
lower in the drainage. other tree species include Liquidambar styraciflua, Nyasa
sylvatica, and W riodendron tulipifera., on some of the higher places, Quercus
falcata (14" dbh), Q. stellata (12" dbh), Q. albs (18" dbh), and Acer rubrum are
often more important. The subcanopy species include Nyasa sylvatica, zlqufdambar
styraciflua, and Quercus phellos. Pine seedlings are present but uncommon.
shrubs are not important, but vaccinium corymbosum was most common. common vines
are smilax rotundifolia, vitas rotundifolia, and campsis radicans. The herb
layer commonly includes vniola 1aza, Polystichum acrostichoides, scutellaria sp.,
Panican (Dichanthelium) sp., peatmoss (Sphagnum sp.), Danthonia spicata, and
Osmunda regalia. other species occur.
Xeric Hardpan Forest communities occur in some marginal examples and at
least one fairly large very nice example. In the latter occurrence, the canopy
is 30-35 feet in height, the canopy aspect is very open, and the average dbh is
10-12". The dominant tree is Quercus marilandica (2-8" dbh). other common tree
species are Quercus stellata (10-14" dbh), and Nyasa sylvatica. Uncommon species
are Quercus phellos, Pinus ecbinata, and P. virginiana. Nyasa sylvatica and
Diosppros virginiana are in the subcanopy. The shrubs include vaccinium
tenellum, v. corymbosum, v. stamineum, and Gaylussacia spp. (abundant and
including G. dumosa and G. frondosa). vines are not important. Danthonia
spicata is the only notable herb, and reindeer lichen (Cladonia sp.) is common.
67
Dry Oak--Hickory Forest is the predominant "background" forest of the area.
There are varying degrees of quality and maturity, but they are generally rather
nice and open beneath. Danthonia glades are common. There is a fair amount of
windthrow. Some parts in the southwestern edge have been grazed by cattle.
cedars and pines are common in some spots. In some stands, the average dbh is
only 6" (with a few larger trees); other areas average 12-15" dbh for the larger
trees. The canopy is dominated by Quercus alba (some up to 25" dbh), Q. stellata
(8-16" dbh), Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, Q. falcata, Q. marilandica,
an& Carya glabra. Ainus ecMnata (some around 15" dbh) varies from common to
uncommon. other tr s present include Quercus phellos (10-14" dbh), oxydendrum
arboreum, Nyssa sy tica, Carya tomentosa, and Juniperus virginlana. common
subcanopy species Corpus florida, Nyasa sylvatl', Zlquldambar styraciflua, 1. 1 ca'c .1
and Acer rubrum.
Gaylussacia. #twdoaa is domi nt in the shrub layer and Vaccinium tenellum
is common. Smilax'?tundifb.Ua and Vitis rotundifolia are common vines. Herbs
are not abundant, but the species that are common include.`DeAhonla spicata,
Coreopsss major`var. st4liata, and other grasses.
There is a community type present that fits neither,'typical xaric Hardpan
Forest nor the other oak-hickory forests in the area. It is here called "Dry
oak--Heath Forest" and is somewhat, intermediate between Hardpan and Dry oak--
Hickory Forest. (The occurrence in..this natural area is but one example of this
community type that is also found elsewhere in the Flatwoods section of eastern
Rowan county.) one very large area is occupied by a very nice community of this
type. The canopy is about 40 feet in height; trees average 8-10" dbh, and larger
trees average 12-15" dbh. The dense shrub layer is very distinctive, under the
short, open canopy. wet spots are included. The common to dominant canopy trees
are Quercus alba (12-16" dbh), Q. falcata (15-20" dbh), Q. marilandica (6-10"
dbh), Q. stellata (8-10" dbh), Q. coccinea (mostly 15-20" dbh), oxydendrum
arboreum (6-8" dbh), and Acer rubrum (8-18" dbh). Finus echinata (6-18" dbh) and
Nyasa sylvatica are uncommon. Most of the large trees appear to have been cut
out, but a good number still exist on the north side of the stand. species noted
in the subcanopy included Nyasa sylvatica, Dlospyros virginiana, and sassafras
albidum. Gaylussacia frondosa (and some G. dumosa) is very dense in the shrub
layer. Some Vacclnium spp. are present, as well as smilax app. Herbs were not
important (or even present) because of the extremely dense shrub layer.
Comments: This natural area lies in a large section commonly known as the
Flatwoods. The section has been one of the last remaining large forested and
undeveloped expanses in Rowan County.
Protection status and management recommendations: Recognition of the area as an
important natural area should be sought. A registry agreement should be
developed. Timber harvesting should be excluded. There are no other special
management needs, other than just leaving it alone. The role of fire as a factor
influencing some of the dry communities here should be considered.
ownership: Northern one-fourth of tract is owned by Nancy J. Morgan, 1011
Rosemary Ave., Rannapolis, NC 28081. Southern three-fourths of tract is owned
by Ludwig J. Egbert, 12304 Longbottom Rd., Traphill, NC 28685. Statesville
Brick company may own a small part of the area.
Documentation references:
schafale, M., and M. Baranski. 1990. Site survey report for Gold Hill
Flatwoods, West End. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
68
Site name: Gold Hill Flatwoods, Riles Creek Section Site number: 83
Sianificance: State-Regional integrity: very Good Threat status: Slight
Location: General area is 1.2 mile east of Gold Hill and 0.7 mile north of
intersection of us 52 and old Beatty Ford Road (SR 2356).
USGS ouad: Gold Hill 1962
,Ayoroximate`acreage: ?<190> acres
Reasons-`tbr signific e: This natural area contains excellent large examples
of Upland Depression Swamp Forest ,(ranks $2, G3), an uncommon community type with
few good examples press~Xyed. The Oools in these swamps may be important breeding
areas for.rare salamanders. In ada#ion, good quality examples of Xeric Hardpan
Forest and a "Dry oak =Heath Forest* make the entire area important as a complex
large natural area. An area of this size would be a significant resource to have
preserved.
General description: The natural area is located in an undeveloped, forested
section on flat to gently sloping terrain. It is a large systemof wet and dry
flat uplands, with several well-developed upland depression swamps. Many other
wet spots and poorly drained areas also occur, in the context of the large dry
higher areas. The elevation ranges between 700-730 feet. The area lies in the
Carolina Slate Belt of metamorphic rocks in the Cid Formation. Rocks are mostly
felsic metavolcanics, dacitic to rhyolitic, and interbedded with mafic and
intermediate rocks. Thin outcrops occur sporadically. Soils appear to be mostly
Misenheimer-Kirksey complex, but some other soils are also present, including
Cid-Lignum complex, Badin-Goldston complex, and Badin channery silt loam.
Several natural communities are present in this difficult to circumscribe
natural area. The boundary indicated on the topographic map is very tentatively
drawn. It includes much of what is not especially significant as a context (Dry
Oak--Hickory Forest and successional communities) within which are located good
to excellent examples of Upland Depression Swamp Forest and variants of Xeric
Hardpan Forest.
Several examples of upland Depression Swamp Forest occur. There are many
small shallow depressions and at least three larger ones. The largest one is
several acres in size, in excellent well-developed condition. The large
depressions have a generally well-defined rim, with very poor, or no. obvious,
drainage outlets. The best-developed swamps are located on what appear as
"terraces" above a creek. They have strongly hydric soils. In one swamp, the
water levels may be as much as two feet deep at times. The shallowest
depressions are simply wet periodically and hydric soils have not formed. There
are differences among the depressions in vegetative cover. The predominant tree
is Quercus phellos, up to 90% coverage in places. Most specimens range from 6-
18" dbh, but there are some 20-25" dbh. other usually less important canopy
species are Acer rubrum (8-15" dbh), Nyasa sylvatica (9-11" dbh), and Liquidambar
styraciflua. The subcanopy can also include some Praainus americans. Most have
practically no shrub layer, but shrubs that may occur include 11es ambigua var.
ambigua, Gaylussacia frondosa, vaccinium corymbosum, and Lyonia ligustrina.
smilax spp. are common. Herbs are dense to sparse, depending on the depression.
Common species include osmunda regalis, Danthonia spicata, Panicum dicbotomum,
Bleocharla sp., Srianthus strictus, Panicum polyanthes, and P. stipitatum. Cares
joorl! is especially abundant in the largest swamp. Peatmoss (spbagnum sp.) is
usually common.
A Dry Oak--Hickory Forest appears to be the predominant community type in
the natural area, as well as in the vicinity. The stature of the forest varies
widely, depending on cutting history and location on the slopes. Much of the
forest has been cut, either recently or in the past, but some nice stands still
remain, especially in the area that is identified as natural area. Quercus alba
(12-20" dbh) is the dominant tree. other oaks are uncommon to common, including
Quercus stellata (8-20" dbh), Q. velutina, Q. mariflandica (6" dbh), Q. coccinea,
0. phellos, and Q. falcata. carya spp. are common, with C. carolinae-
septentrionalss (8-20" dbh) most important. Pinus echinata (10-15" dbh) is
locally common, and other pines also occur. A number of Pinus taeda are in the
area, but it is not immediately obvious whether they are native or naturalized.
69
Acer rubrum, Nyasa sylvatica, and Liquidambar styraciflua are often common. The
subcanopy consists mostly of Corpus flori da, Quercus alba, .Jluniperus virginlana,
Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum, and Nyasa sylvatica. Shrubs include
viburnum prunifolium, Gaylussacia dumosa, G. frondosa, and vaccinlum spp. Herbs
are sparse, but include Danthonia spicata, Coreopsis major, Aster paternus, carer
sp., and vniola laaa. The average dbh of the forest may be 10", but as noted
above, many trees are-larger. Some smaller sites are entirely older forest.
Many old pines were cut out as evident by the presence of many old stumps.
xeric Hardpan Forest communities occur in one smaller area on the north
boundary of natural area and in a larger area on a broad small ridge on the
east side. ve small areas may be considered to be scattered within the
Dry oak--Bic Fort matrix. The average dbh is about 8", though older and
larger trees . occur..,.,.. The more important trees in, the canopy are Quercus
stellata, Q. m?rri7 ca., and Pinus echlnata, but Q. albs, Q. velutina, Acer
rubrum, P. virginiaria, and Carya app. also occur. The large hardpan forest on
the east side was recently burned. It presents a very open,: heath aspect with
Gaylussacia dumesa, and G," frondosa the dominant shrub Thia'staind has high
integrity, though..it is quite young, the older trees haviJg been _cutout long
ago. It_has an attractive appearance, but different from_.a typical hardpan
forest because of its dense shrub' layer and location on a ridge. Similar
variants of'this type were noted in other areas in the Flatwoods section and have
been classified as "Dry Oak--Heath Forest."
Comments: This area is part of what is probably the largest roadless tract
(except for logging roads) in Rowan County. This natural area includes the least
disturbed and oldest forests in this section of the much larger tract.
Protection status and management recommendations: Multiple ownership of this
natural area may present a problem in. seeking protection. A registration
agreement for natural area status should be sought, nonetheless. It is unusual
to see this much "old" timber in one large tract in this section of the county.
The owners need to be convinced that timber extraction should be de-emphasized
or at least done very carefully only in parts of the natural area in order to
preserve the more special areas.
ownership: West side of creek is owned by Jack and Carol Benoy, PoB 297,
Albemarle, NC 28001. Southeast section is owned by Glenna M. Treece, 17760 old
Beatty Ford, Gold Hill, NC (704/279-3034). Part is owned by Arey Brick and
Lumber Co., 232 Richmond Rd., Salisbury, NC 28144.
Documentation references:
Schafale, M., and M. Baranski. 1990. Site survey report for Gold Hill
Flatwoods, West End. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
70
Site name: Gold Hill Flatwoods, East End Site number: 84
Significance: State Integrity: Very Good Threat status: Extreme
Location: Approximately 15 miles southeast of Salisbury. In eastern section of
a large tract bounded by stokes Ferry Road (SR 1004) on the north, Reeves Island
Road (SR 2148) on the east, and old Beatty Ford Road (SR 2356) on the south.
USGS 46ad: Gold Hill 1962
Avurozimate acreage: <395> acres
Reasons fo..zi ific: ce: This natural area is the largest recently undisturbed
tract in th Flatwoods. It contains the largest and best remaining examples of
Dry Oak--Hickory For t_and upland Depression swamp Forest (ranks S2, G3) in the
Flatwoods, which apparently unique system in the western. Carolina Slate
Belt. Other'".;,significant. and interesting communities occur, including Xeric
Hardpan Forest, Low `Elevation Seep, and "Needlegrass--cedar Glade:." The
community. types present in "the Flatwoods are variants that develop over the Slate
Belt substrates of mudstone and argillite. These variants should be considered
rare. Extensive and large populations of Nestronis umbellula (SR,C2/P3C;
S3,G3G4) are present. Unioln sessllfflora (W7,-; S2,G5) and a`small population
of Cassia hebecarpa (W7,-; S2S3,G5) are present. There is good potential for
other special status plant species to be present. The seep community is possible
habitat for the four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) (SC,-; S3,G5).
General descriptions This natural area is completely forested. It occupies
nearly level to gently sloping terrain with small dry tops and numerous wet spots
and seasonally wet depressions. It is dissected by.many small shallow draws and
ravines, but there are also some broad interstream divides. The elevation range
is between 650-700 feet. The area is in the Carolina Slate Belt of metamorphic
rocks. Most of the natural area is over metamudstone and meta-argillite of the
Cid Formation. This formation is interbedded with metasandstone,
metaconglomerate, and metavolcanic rock. Some surface rock is scattered
throughout, and there are small outcrops on some knolls. The predominant soil
is Cid-Lignum complex (1-68 slopes). Less abundant soils are Misenheimer-Kirksey
complex (0-5% slopes) and Badin-Goldston complex (2-88 slopes, on knobs and
ridgetops).
This is a complicated natural area that is not yet well-understood
vegetationally. Dry Oak--Hickory Forest is the most abundant community type and
forms the matrix within which several other community types occur. These other
types are mostly Upland Depression Swamp Forest and variants thereof and "Dry
Oak--Heath Forest," but smaller occurrences of Xeric Hardpan Forest, Dry-Mesic
Oak--Hickory Forest, Low Elevation Seep, "Wet Draw Forest," and "Needlegrass--
Cedar Glade" also are present.
Windthrow from Hurricane Hugo was not as severe in this natural area as in
many other sections of the Flatwoods, but there was damage in parts. Many of the
blowdowns have created openings, some now dominated by Andropogon vIrgin3cus and
Danthonia spicata, others forming dense successional patches of transgressives
with Rubus spp., Andropogon spp., Dins rotundffolla, and smilax rotundifolia.
Many of the larger trees from 15-20" dbh have been blown over, but there are,
nonetheless, some very nice stands still intact. Apparently, no salvage-logging
following this natural disturbance is going to occur in this natural area. The
forests are recovering with no permanent damage. (Adjacent tracts have been
seriously impaired by salvage-logging.)
There are some forests with very open canopies (most apparently naturally
open), some with dominant ericaceous shrub layers, and other small areas with
dominant grass layers and kind of weakly "prairie-like." Questions can be
raised. Are the dense heath layers of some sites the result of fire suppression?
would these sites naturally develop dense grass strata if fire were a factor?
Could Quercus alba be gaining in importance as fires have been suppressed? The
naturalness of some of these communities is difficult to interpret, as noted
below.
Except for gaps, the canopy of the Dry Oak--Hickory Forest communities is
closed. These are unusual variants of the Dry oak--Hickory type, produced by the
shallow clayey soil. Perhaps, this is the largest known mature occurrence of any
71
variant of this type. The herb layer is better developed than typically.
Reindeer lichen (Cladonia sp.) and mossy hummocks, in some of the areas having
sparse shrub layers, present a very striking aspect. The quality of the forest
varies; most stands are quite nice, but some are very messy in blowdown areas.
Trees are generallyof good stature; only occasional stands of short-statured
gnarled trees occur. The canopy averages about 12" dbh, with maximum dbh of 22-
24".
In its more--common appearance, the canopy of the Dry Oak--Hickory Forest
is dominated by QUercus alba (12-24" dbh), Q. stellata (6-18" dbh), Carya glabra
(5-16" dbh), and C. carolinae-septentrionalis (6-15" dbh). LVyssa sylvatica is
common. Pins echiaata (6-12" dbh) is uncommon, but formerly it apparently was
quite common before' selective cutting of old pines occurred. In some spots,
where pine was formerly abundant, there is now little canopy present. Juniperus
virginiana was apparel.y also formerly important; many large cedar stumps (some
to 15" dbh) are prey*ut- but living trees (5-7" dbh) are rare in the canopy.
Pious vzrginiana (.6dbh) and some other dry-site oaks may also occur
sporadically. The subcanopy includes the dominant and common canopy;. pecies, but
also commonly includes Corpus florida, Juniperus virginiana, Acer rubrum, Pinus
echinata, Prune serotina, and.Amelanchier arborea. It is speculated that a
hardwood selection cut occurred long ago. Pines returned with the hardwoods.
These pines were most recently cut out, now leaving nice hardwood forest in most
parts of this natural area.
The canopy dominance of the Dry Oak--Hickory Forest varies in certain local
situations. In one area, Quercus alba is clearly the single most important
species. In certain other small spots, Carya carolinae-septentrio=118 and/or
C. glabra are the most abundant canopy trees. The highest, driest knobs have a
hardpan variant that is very distinct, here called "Dry oak--Heath Forest." The
canopy of the Dry oak--Heath community is about 75 feet in height and has a very
open appearance, except for dense shrubs, as noted below. Some areas cover
several acres. The canopy is variously dominated by Quercus falcata (6-25" dbh)
and/or Q. coccinea (12-19" dbh), but Q. stellate may also occur.
The shrub layer varies from being either very open and sparse to very dense
(in the Dry Oak--Heath community). The most abundant shrubs throughout are
Vaccinium vacillans, V. stamineum, v. tenellum, and Gaylussacia frondosa. Shrubs
varying from uncommon to common, depending on site, are Gaylussacia dumosa,
Lyonia ligustrina, Pestronia umbellula, Hypericum spp., and Rubus spp. sallax
rotundifolia is the predominant vine throughout, but V1t1s rotundifolia is
abundant in patches. In the Dry oak--Heath community, heath coverage may be 100%
and Mahar spp. may be very abundant in spots. Gaylussacia app. seem to favor
all the higher ground; when the canopy closes more tightly further downslope, the
heath generally decreases. Gaylusaacia typically occurs in very large patches
(less so for G. dumosa). The vaccinium and Lyonia are usually more scattered
individually, but may occur in small patches.
The dominant to common widely distributed herbs in the Dry Oak--Heath
Forest are Danthonia spicata, D. sericea, Dniola laxa, U. sessiliflora, and
Coreopsis major. Many other herbs occur, contributing to a wide herb diversity.
In the Dry oak--Heath community, Pteridium aquilinum is often a very common
component. in another small site variation (here called "Needlegras 9 --cedar
Glade"), a very open grassy aspect is developed under iuniperus virginiana;
Danthonia app. and stipa avenacea are very important but mutually exclusive, and
there is some bare ground. The developmental history of this site variation is
unclear, but the present community may be due only to old logging disturbances
such as from loading areas, not natural factors.
The Dry oak--Hickory Forest is generally distributed on the predominant
cid-Lignum soils, but it also occurs on the less abundant Mi6enheimer soils of
the area. There is a tendency to Dry-Mesic oak--Hickory Forest in deeper soils
downslope. The Dry oak--Heath community variant may be closely associated with
the Badin-Goldston soils on the highest knobs. There is a tendency to hardpan
on some of the sites as judged by the vegetation.
Within the Dry oak--Hickory Forest, there are lots of small wet spots, in
slight depressions and in old logging road ruts. Peatmoss (Sphagnum spp.) is
very common. Trees in these wet spots include mostly Acer rubrum, but other taxa
such as Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus phellos, Q. stellata, Q. alba, myssa
sylvatica, and Pinus echfnata may also occur. Common herbs are Dniola spp.,
dense tussocks of Rhynchospora sp., Panicum (Dichanthelium) spp., Panicum
72
polyanthea, Xicrostegium vimineum, and some large populations of oamanda regalia.
Sometimes, Gaylussacia Frondosa occurred around the rims of some small wet spots.
These wet spots are small transitional communities tending toward the upland
Depression Swamp Forest type. one broad draw, with a well-developed entrenched
stream lower in the reach, had a community type here called "wet Draw Forest."
It was hard to consider this alluvial forest or Upland Depression Swamp Forest.
The canopy-:.consisted of Fraainus americana (probably), Qlmas alata, Nyasa
sylvatica,-Zdquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum, and JUniperus virginiana, all
averagin'gz,l2" dbh. Carer sp. and Panic= (Dichanthelium) sp. were present. The
entrenched streams. in the Dry Oak--Hickory Forest do not have any different
vegetation associated with them.
The Upland Depression Swamp Forest community occurs in small to large (1-2
acre) patches interspersed throughout, mostly on upland flats in depressions and
in poorly-drained lower areas with braided drainage. They pond 1-12" of water
in wet seasons. Thef'bccur mostly on cid-Lignum soils, but some.are probably on
Misenheimer soils or`inclusions of a different series. where better-developed
streams occur, the streams are entrenched, and the Dry Oak:= dkory community
develops. some of the upland Depression Swamp Forest communities are in typical
zoned depressions with deep pools and no outlets. others occur on poorly drained
flats or interstream divides where outlets are only poorly developed. In some
cases, they are fed by small springs under knobs. virtually anywhere there's a
broad interstream area on a flat, even though small, some variation of a swamp
community develops. Some are very distinctly isolated; others are imperfectly
developed and fingered through a matrix of Dry Oak--Hickory Forest. overall, the
total area covered by this community type is substantial, perhaps the most
extensive remaining example. Ponding and local runoff distinguishes the
community from similar vegetation developed by stream flooding.
Tree size in the upland Depression Swamp Forest communities varies between
6-20" dbh, depending on the particular site. The canopy is usually dominated by
Quercus phellos (commonly 12-20" dbh), but Acer rubrum of similar size range is
dominant in some. common species include Nyasa sylvatica, Quercus stellata
(smaller dbh), and Liquidambar styraciflua. Carya carol3nae-septentrionalis and
9. alba were sometimes present and common, and some other species occurred
infrequently, in less wet depressions or on depression margins. The subcanopy
transgressives were typically Acer rubrum, but some Quercus phellos also
occurred. Juniperus virginiana was occasionally in the subcanopy. Shrubs and
vines were typically sparse, but Ilea decidua, Smilax rotundifolia, and Vitis
rotundifolia were sometimes present. The herb layer typically included Danthonia
spicata and Carer spp., but other species such as Juncus marginatus, Sleocharis
sp., sclzpus sp., vniola sp., and Panicum (Dichanthelium) app. were locally
abundant. There was often a lot of bare ground, and peatmoss (Sphagnum spp.)
were either sparse to very abundant. Other mosses were present.
Xeric Hardpan Forest occurs as small patches throughout the Flatwoods, with
at least one occurrence in this natural area. Restricted rooting depth over Cid-
Lignum soils, and possibly the Badin-Goldston soil, makes for xeric sites. The
community occurs in the Dry Oak--Hickory Forest matrix, but it is not as common
as the Upland Depression swamp community. In some cases in the Flatwoods,
Hardpan Forest develops in close association with upland Depression Swamp, the
two communities often grading together. In this natural area, however, only one
well-developed site was identified. The dbh averaged 6-10". The abundant canopy
species were Quercus stellata, Acer rubrum, Pinus echinata, and Janiperus
virginiana. Quercus falcata and Q. marilandica were common. Quercus phellos was
uncommon. Shrubs and vines included Vaccinium stamineum, V. vacillans, and Vitis
rotund1folia. Herbs present were Danthonia spicata and Iris verna. The area was
selectively cut for pines, because large old pine stumps were present.
There is at least one nice occurrence of Dry-Mesic oak--Hickory Forest in
the natural area. The larger trees average 15" dbh. Quercus falcata, Carya
carolinae-septentrionalls, and Liquidambar styraciflua are most common. other
species present are Quercus Alba, Q. phellos, Acer rubrum, carya glabra, and
Juniperus virginiana. corpus Florida and Vitis rotundifolla are important.
There is a small patch of Lonieera japonica. No heaths are present. JUncus
coriaceus, Lycopus op., and Glyceria sp. occur around a small drainage.
A Low Elevation seep community occurs in a draw at the base of a slope.
The seep eventually feeds into a rocky stream of intermediate size. The canopy
is dominated by Quercus alba, Ulmns rubra, and Juniperus virginiana. Cornus
73

stricta (probably) and Rosa sp. are present. Anisostichus capreolata is present.
Cares sp. and Juncus coriaceus are dominant herbs. Two interesting herbs present
in moderate numbers are Cassia hebecarpa and Trautvetteria carolinensis. Some
other herbs are present. Trautvetteria is highly unusual in the Piedmont, but
widely distributed in the mountains.
Comments: The Gold Hill Flatwoods as a whole represents the best known examples
of Dry Oak--Hickory Forest and upland Depression Swamp Forest, in terms of
maturity and extent.
Protection status and management recommendations: Protection of this natural
area will help insure that representative high-quality examples of the Gold Hill
Flatwoods will be maintained. This natural area, along with several other areas
recognized as naturaP.''*reas, appear to contain the best remaining examples of
Flatwoods communities Ideally, no further timber cutting should occur and
natural forest dynamics, including fire, should be allowed to proceed. Any
cutting of salvaged trees should be done under dry conditions. without road
building. Ideally; conservation protection should be sought throucjh'acquisition
of easements or property. This natural area would be an excellent addition to
the state nature preserve system.. inclusion of Flatwoods natural areas and
adjacent tracts into the state gameland system might also be considered. At the
least, natural area registration should be pursued.
ownership: Wm. H. and Hudson L. Lowder, POB 100, Albemarle, NC 28002 (184
acres). Carl S. Plyler, 28585 valley Dr., Albemarle, NC 28001 (105 acres).
other owners are involved, but without the Lowder and Plyler properties, there
is little worth protecting.
Documentation references:
Schafale, M., M. Baranski, and D. Kirk. 1990. Site survey report for Gold Hill
Flatwoods, East End. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
74
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Site name: Zion Church Hardpan Forest Site number: 85
Significance: Regional-County Integrity: Good-Fair Threat status: Slight
Location: Approximately 16 miles southeast of Salisbury. In a small tract
bounded by Reeves Island Road (SR 2148) on the northwest, Stokes Ferry Road (SR
1004) on the northeast, and old Beatty Ford (SR 2356) on the south.
USGS Quad: Gold Hill 1962
Approximate `° age: <69> acres
Reasons for significance: This natural area is significant because it includes
fair to good quality examples of Xeric Hardpan Forest developed over slate Belt
soils. It is a rather,, large area. It is a good example of this community type
found over more acdic:soils and which contain a well-developed ericaceous shrub
layer.
General description: The natural area lies in the forested interior of a tract
surrounded by rural residential and agricultural development.' The terrain is
generally flat or gently sloped, and elevations range between 630-670 feet. This
is part of the Flatwoods section of eastern Rowan County. Moisture conditions
are generally xeric, but some seasonally wet areas occur. The area lies in the
Carolina Slate Belt of metamorphic rocks that appear to be felsic metavolcanics
in the Cid Formation. This formation includes metamorphosed dacitic to rhyolitic
flows and tuffs interbedded with mafic and intermediate rocks. It is near a
contact zone of metamudstone and meta-argillite. some rock outcrops occur. The
soils are predominantly Misenheimer-Kirksey complex, and a small section is Badin
channery silt loam. A well-used old road/trail bisects the natural area on the
highest part, and there are old logging roads throughout.
Xeric Hardpan Forest is the predominant community type in the natural area.
The other communities are set within this matrix. The average dbh is about 8",
but larger trees average 12" dbh. The forest has a rather open canopy, but the
stem density is high. The most abundant canopy trees are Quercus stellata, Pinus
echfnata, and Q. coccinea (up to 18" dbh). Common trees are Quercus alba and
Juniperus virginiana. other species present are Acer rubrum, Nyasa sylvatica,
Quercus falcata (up to 22" dbh), Q. mar3landica, and cornus florids. Stumps of
iuniperus virginiana are present. The common to abundant subcanopy trees are
Acer rubrum, Nyasa sylvatica, .7uniperus virginiana, sassafras albidum, Pins
echinata, Quercus a1ba, and Diospyros virginiana. other species are rare in the
subcanopy. Vaccinium spp. (especially v. tenellum and V. stamineum) and
Gaylussacia spp. (especially G. frondosa) dominate the shrub layer. smilax
rotundifolia is a common vine. Common herbs are Danthonia spicata, D. sericea,
Coreopais major, vniola lase, and Tephrosia virginiana. Reindeer lichen
(Cladonia sp.) is common. In the Xeric Hardpan Forest, the shrub layer is sparse
to dense. Gaylussacia is more important on knobs where Quercus coccinea, Pinus
echinata, and Pteridium aquili- are also more important. Lower flats tend to
Dry Oak--Hickory Forest with Quercus albs and Pinus echinata dominant. Quercus
stellata seems to be most important on broader tops and flats where it forms a
gnarled canopy 40-50 feet in height. (The other sites have a taller canopy.)
A distinct variation of the Xeric Hardpan Forest occurs on the west side.
It is a very barren xeric forest, with some grassy (Danthonia) glades in spots.
It is a nice forest dominated by Quercus stellata (10-12" dbh). Most of the
Quercus marilandica (some 7" dbh) is in the canopy, rather than in the subcanopy.
Quercus alba (some 12-18" dbh), Q. falcate, .7uniperus virginiana, and Pinus
echinata are subordinate species. This forest is probably showing the influence
of past grazing. on the downslope. side toward a creek, Carya spp. and Cornus
florida become important and a canopy 75 feet in height develops.
An Upland Depression swamp Forest occurs in a large, broad depression-like
shallow drain in the southern end of the natural area. There is no ponding.
canopy dominance shifts between Quercus phellos (10-14" dbh) and Acer rubrum.
Nyasa sylvatica is common and Carya carol.inae-septentrionalis is uncommon.
Quez=a phellos is common in the subcanopy. Common shrubs are sypericum
hypericoides and Lyonia ligustrina. campsis radicans is common. Common herbs
are Danthonia spicata, Uniola laaa, and Sleocharis sp., but some other herbs are
also present. Peatmoss (spbagnrn sp.) is common.
76

r The highest knoll is developed in a type of Dry Oak--Hickory Forest. It
is not very extensive. Windthrow is common. The average dbh is 15". Quercus
alba and Q. coccinea are abundant. Quercus stellata and Q. falcate are common.
Carya glabra is present. There are no Juniperus virginiana, and the few pines
in the subcanopy are small.
Protection status 'and management recommendations: An agreement with the
landowner to manage the land without timbering or other site disturbance would
preserve the area.". A natural area registration agreement should be negotiated.
Ownership: Reece and Eula Loflin, 415 Cooper St., Asheboro, NC 27203.
Documentation references:
LeGrand, H., and S. Oakley. 1992a. site survey report for Zion Church Hardpan
Forest. North Cdriolina Natural Heritage Program.
77
63-0"1'-0(0
Site name: Beaverdam Branch Mafic slopes and Flats
Site number: 7

Significance: Regional Intearity: Good
Threat status: Slight
Location: North of Needmore Road (CR 1984), northeast of Chaffin Road (CR 1981),
and west of southern Railroad; due west of Cooleemee Junction in bend of South
Yadkin River.
AUSGS Quad: Cooleemee 1969
Approximate acreage: 35-40 acres
Reasons for significance: This area contains a fair to good quality mix of
communities developed over mafic rock. The size of the best developed mafic
community is rather small, unfortunately. The area includes a very large and
variable population of Aeaculus sylvatica, from shrubs to trees. Exceptionally
large specimens are present (trees 60-70• tall in canopy and many in 10-14" dbh
range). A small population of Trillium cernuum is present. This trillium is
sporadically distributed in the Piedmont and mountains. Rare community types
include an unusual type of Basic Mesic Forest and types of Mesic Mixed Hardwood
Forest and Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest that don't appear to have been described
previously.
General description: The natural area includes steep slopes, low slopes and
flats associated with a small stream and a long, narrow northeast-oriented ridge,
fronting on the south Yadkin River. The slopes and low areas have natural
vegetation, but the flatter uplands have been cleared for croplands and pasture.
Hoechst Celanese corporation maintains a large chemical landfill very close to
this natural area. The section as a whole appears to be bisected by a geologic
contact zone. The ridge is underlain by metamorphosed mafic rock, and the
remainder of the area appears to be underlain by a type of metamorphosed granitic
rock that locally contains hornblende. Rock outcroppings are common. The soils
of the slopes all have strong basic characteristics; some terrace and recent
alluvial soils are also present. The landform is interesting, with the steep-
sided narrow ridge fanning out onto a broad low sloping terrace in a U-shaped
bend of the river.
Communities included in the natural area include Mesic mixed Hardwood Forest
(typical and a variant found on terrace soils), Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest
(typical and a variant found on terrace soils), intermediate Mesic mixed Hardwood
Forest/Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest, Piedmont Alluvial Forest, and Basic Mesic
Forest. The forests are mostly advanced second-growth, with larger trees ranging
from 12-20" dbh (rare individuals up to 36"). selective cutting has occurred at
various times in the past. The Basic Mesic Forest community is the most
interesting in the area. It occupies a steep, rocky, northwest-facing slope no
more than five acres maximum. The dominant canopy trees are Aesculus sylvatica
and Liquidambar styraciflua. Subdominant trees are Juniperus virginiana (8-10"
dbh), celtis sp., and Acer saccharum; other trees with mesic/basic affinities are
also present. Understory species include Asimina triloba, viburnum prunifolium,
Arundiaaria g1gantea, L.fndera benzoin, and staphylen trifolia. Herbs include
ca dam ne concatenata, Asarum canadense, Polygonatum biflorum, Impatiens sp., and
a small population of Trillium cernuum (30-40 stems). some weedy herbs and some
cattle trails from the pasture above influence the Basic Mesic Forest community.
Two communities that developed on high alluvial terrace are very intriguing. An
example of a Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest community has Fagus grandifolia the most
important tree, but some bottomland species are present. The very open aspect
leads to speculation about the vegetation history here. An example of Dry-Mesic
Oak--Hickory Forest occurs elsewhere on the terrace. On a slight ridge on the
terrace is located the largest and nicest population of claytonia v xginica seen
anywhere in this region.
Comments: The fieldwork was done in early spring. This area needs to be
investigated in other seasons. some additional work needs to be done to
adequately determine the boundaries of the high quality areas.
Protection status and management recommendations: The most important part of
this area is not on Celanese property, but Celanese officials appear to be
81

sympathetic to protection and would probably agree to set this portion of their
property aside in an undeveloped state. The industrial activity a-'their
landfill will not affect the natural area. The other owners should be informed
about the significance of their property. A natural area registration agreement
should be sought for at least portions of the site. Cattle should ,be'excluded
from the steep basic slopes, and firewood cutting should be stopped or minimized
in the other forested areas.
Ownership: Major and most important portion of site (80%) is owned by Carl and
Patricia Blackwood, PO Box 11, Woodleaf, NC 27054. Remainder of site is owned
by Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Hwy 70 West, PO Box 4, Salisbury, NC 28144.

82
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83
\? }, - ?-?/ ?`-1 I ? ? ,.--•ti\`a?? - `- ??\?,? ,`_?- a ?/
63-07-- o(o
Site name: Phifer Hardwood Forest Site number: 126
Significance: County Intecirity: Good-Fair Threat status: Strong
Location: Approximately 0.5 mile east of Rowan-Iredell county line.
Approximately 1.0 mile north of Fourth creek, just southwest of junction of
Pheifer Road (SR 1977) and Rary Road (SR 1978).
USGS Ouad: Cool Springs 1969
Approximate acreage: 27 acres
Reasons for significance: This was once one of the best hardwood forests in
Rowan County, a nearly or actually old-growth forest that had remained untouched
on a family farm. The quality of the site has now been compromised by the
salvage logging of storm-thrown trees, but - the structure of the forest was
already severely affected by the storm. The stature and quality of the remaining
canopy trees and intact forest remnants are impressive. The size of the trees
demonstrates what these kinds of forest formerly looked like in this region. The
average dbh of the canopy trees in the main part of the tract is 20-300, and some
larger specimens occur. The site soil/vegetation relationships need to be worked
out and community types determined. The site demonstrates the character of
communities that have strong basic affinities. The communities present are some
variations of old-growth Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, Basic Mesic Forest, and
Basic Oak--Hickory Forest.
General description: The natural area occupies a gentle mostly north-facing
slope above a small intermittent stream. Small draws occur. The general
landscape is rolling with long smooth slopes and broad upland flats, sloping
gently east and southeast and drained by streams that enter Fourth Creek.
Springs and seepage areas are common in the vicinity; a few occur in the natural
area. The elevation of the site ranges between 730-780 feet. Metamorphosed
mafic rocks underlie the site. Most of the soils are Enon fine sandy loams, but
some sedgefield soils also occur. The soils are noted for their basic
characteristics. The area is surrounded by mostly cropland and pastureland, but
some cutover land occurs on the west. The site recognized as a natural area has
been fenced off from cattle and no cutting had occurred until the salvage logging
following a severe storm in 1988. The logging was done carefully; roads and skid
trails are minimal. The potential for invasion of weedy species in the canopy
gaps had already been created by the storm. The residual tract is still old-
growth, but many successional gaps and patches now occur due to the canopy
disturbance. The worst of the site is the area nearest Pheifer Road. The better
part of the natural area is on the west end.
There appear to be three or four communities represented on this tract.
Most of the site is probably one community type developed over the predominant
Enon soil. in a previous study (Baranski 1990) of a 1400 acre section that
included this tract, Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest was typically found over the
Enon soil. Basic Mesic Forest, Basic Oak--Hickory Forest, and Piedmont Alluvial
Forest were found on other soils in the section, several of which (including the
sedgefield series) are found on this tract. In this tract, lines between
communities are not distinct and broad transitional areas occur. LeGrand and
Oakley (1992) reported that the Phifer tract was almost entirely Basic Oak--
Hickory forest.
The canopy is closed in places, but fairly open in others due to the storm
and salvage logging. Many very large trees remain; some are 80-100 feet tall.
on the upland sites, Quercus alba, Q. falaata, Q. stellata, Carya ovate, C.
carolinae-septentrionalis and C. tomentosa are dominant, with Quercus alba being
most important. Fagus grandffolia, Liquidambar styraciflua, Ulmus alata,
JUniperus virginiana and W riodendron tulipifera are present, and some large
Sinus echinata occur. Typical bottomland species occur in the small alluvial
area. The understory is quite dense in some places. Depending on the specific
site, the understory includes Fagus grandifolia, Carya tomentosa, Acer rubrum,
carpinus caroliniana, corpus florida, cercis canadensis, , and Asimina triloba.
The shrub layer is dense to sparse, depending on the specific site. Staphylea
trifolia, Asimina triloba, Lindera bensoin, and Cornus amomum are uncommon to
abundant, and viburnum prunlJolium is the dominant shrub on more upland sites.
84
The herb layer is not diverse. Carer spp. and Impatiens sp. are common; Phryma
leptostachya, Cimicifuga racemosa, Deamodium sp., Geum canadense, 8pifagus
virginiana, and Polystichum acrostichoides occur. MIcrostegium vimineum and
Lonicera japonica exclude herbs in most places, particularly where canopy,-gaps -
now occur. Some interesting species known to be in or nearby the tract are
Rhamnus caroliniana (W7,-; S2?,G5) and Ostrya virginiana.
Comments: More investigation should be undertaken to determine the exact nature
of the communities present. The disturbances from storm and salvage logging are
not uniformly serious, and the forest is recovering nicely, except for the severe
invasion of weedy species in places.
Protection status and management recommendations: Hopefully, the site can be
left alone to recover, and time will allow the site to regain some of its former
quality. The owner may be amenable to protection; but he spoke of possibly
turning cattle into the tract. If any cattle are brought into the area, the
natural area should be fenced off to prevent cattle entry. An agreement with the
landowner should be sought. The owners nephew is very preservation-minded and
sensitive to protection issues; he may be influential in helping to protect the
site. whether the quality of the site merits its recognition as a registered
natural area in the state system needs to be determined by Natural Heritage
Program staff.
ownership: Paul and Brenda Phifer, 2120 Pheifer Rd., Cleveland, NC 27013
(704/278-4892). (Nephew is Dwaine Phifer, 112 Johnstone Rd., Cleveland, NC
27013, 704/278-4622).
Documentation references:
Baranski, M. J. 1990. Wetlands.and endangered species survey on proposed
hazardous waste treatment facility site SA9 in Iredell and Rowan counties,
North Carolina. Report prepared for Iredell and Rowan County Boards of
commissioners and site Designation Review Committees.
Oakley, S., and H. LeGrand. 1992. Site survey report for Phifer Hardwood
Forest. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
85
Site name: Phifer Hardwood Forest site number: 126
Significance: County Integrity: Good-Fair Threat status: Strong
Locationz Approximately 0.5 mile east of Rowan-Iredell County line.
Approximately 1.0 mile north of Fourth Creek, just southwest of junction of
Pheifer Road (SR 1977) and Rary Road (SR 1978).
USGS Quad: Cool Springs 1969
Approximate acreage: 27 acres
Reasons-for significance: This was once one of the best hardwood forests in
Rowan County, a nearly or actually old-growth forest that had remained untouched
on a family farm. The quality of the site has now been compromised by the
salvage logging of storm-thrown trees, but the structure of the forest was
already severely affected by the storm. The stature and quality of the remaining
canopy trees and intact forest remnants are impressive. The size of the trees
demonstrates what these kinds of forest formerly looked like in this region. The
average dbh of the canopy trees in the main part of the tract is 20-300, and some
larger specimens occur. The site soil/vegetation relationships need to be worked
out and community types determined. The site demonstrates the character of
communities that have strong basic affinities. The communities present are some
variations of old-growth Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, Basic Mesic Forest, and
Basic Oak--Hickory Forest.
General description: The natural area occupies a gentle mostly north-facing
slope above a small intermittent stream. Small draws occur. The general
landscape is rolling with long smooth slopes and broad upland flats, sloping
gently east and southeast and drained by streams that enter Fourth Creek.
Springs and seepage areas are common in the vicinity; a few occur in the natural
area. The elevation of the site ranges between 730-780 feet. Metamorphosed
mafic rocks underlie the site. Most of the soils are Enon fine sandy loams, but
some Sedgefield soils also occur. The soils are noted for their basic
characteristics. The area is surrounded by mostly cropland and pastureland, but
some cutover land occurs on the west. The site recognized as a natural area has
been fenced off from cattle and no cutting had occurred until the salvage logging
following a severe storm in 1988. The logging was done carefully; roads and skid
trails are minimal. The potential for invasion of weedy species in the canopy
gaps had already been created by the storm. The residual tract is still old-
growth, but many successional gaps and patches now occur due to the canopy,
disturbance. The worst of the site is the area nearest Pheifer Road. The better
part of the natural area is on the west end.
There appear to be three or four communities represented on this tract.
Most of the site is probably one community type developed over the predominant
Enon soil. In a previous study (Baranski 1990) of a 1400 acre section that
included this tract, Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest was typically found over the
Enon soil. Basic Mesic Forest, Basic Oak--Hickory Forest, and Piedmont Alluvial
Forest were found on other soils in the section, several of which (including the
Sedgefield series) are found on this tract. In this tract, lines between
communities are not distinct and broad transitional areas occur. LeGrand and
Oakley (1992) reported that the Phifer tract was almost entirely Basic Oak--
Hickory forest.
The canopy is closed in places, but fairly open in others due to the storm
and salvage logging. Many very large trees remain; some are 80-100 feet tall.
On the upland sites, Quercus alba, Q. falcata, Q. stellata, Carya ovata, C.
carolinae-septentrionalis and C. tomentosa are dominant, with Quercus albs being
most important. Fagus grandifolia, Liquidambar styraciflua, UImus alata,
Jtlpsrus virginiana and Liriodendron tulipifera are present, and some large
Pinus schinata occur. Typical bottomland species occur in the small alluvial
area. The understory is quite dense in some places. Depending on the specific
site, the understory includes Fagus grandifolia, Carya tomentosa, Acer rubrum,
Carpinus caroliniana, Cornus florida, Cercis canadensis, , and Asimina triloba.
The shrub layer is dense to sparse, depending on the specific site. staphylea
trifolia, Asimina triloba, Lindera benzoln, and Cornus amomum are uncommon to
abundant, and Viburnum prunifolium is the dominant shrub on more upland sites.
84
The herb layer is not diverse. Carex spp. and Impatiens sp. are common; Phryma
leptostachya, Cimicifuga racemosa, Desmodium sp., Geum canadense, Epifagus
virgimlana, and Polystichum acrostichoides occur. Microstegium vimineum and
Lonicera japonica exclude herbs in most places, particularly where canopy.-gaps
now occur. Some interesting species known to be in or nearby the tract` are
Rbamnus caroliniana (W7,-; S2?,G5) and Ostrya virginiana.
Comments: More investigation should be undertaken to determine the exact nature
of the communities present. The disturbances from storm and salvage logging are
not uniformly serious, and the forest is recovering nicely, except for the severe
.invasion of weedy species in places.
Protection status and management recommendations: Hopefully, the site can be
left alone to recover, and time will allow the site to regain some of its former
quality. The owner may be amenable to protection, but he spoke of possibly
turning cattle into the tract. If any cattle are brought into the area, the
natural area should be fenced off to prevent cattle entry. An agreement with the
landowner should be sought. The owner's nephew is very preservation-minded and
sensitive to protection issues; he may be influential in helping to protect the
site. Whether the quality of the site merits its recognition as a registered
natural area in the state system needs to be determined by Natural Heritage
Program Staff.
Ownership: Paul and Brenda Phifer, 2120 Pheifer Rd., Cleveland, NC 27013
(704/278-4892). (Nephew is Dwaine Phifer, 112 Johnstone Rd., Cleveland, NC
27013, 704/278-4622).
Documentation references:
Baranski, M. J. 1990. Wetlands and endangered species survey on proposed
hazardous waste treatment facility site SA9 in Iredell and Rowan Counties,
North Carolina. Report prepared for Iredell and Rowan County Boards of
Commissioners and Site Designation Review Committees.
Oakley, S., and H. LeGrand. 1992. Site survey report for Phifer Hardwood
Forest. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
85
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>? Maooed edited. and published by the Geological Survey
C>3 - o-+ - bb
site name: Youngs Mountain Site number: 73
Significance: Regional Integrity: very Good Threat status: Extreme
Location: East of Mountain Road (SR 1741) and north of old US 70 (SR 1957); one-
half mile north of Barber.
USGS Quad: Cleveland 1970
Approximate acreage: <300> acres
Reasons for significance: This is one of only about three remaining large tracts
of undeveloped land in western Rowan County. As the highest point in Rowan
County, it is an especially important element in the visual landscape because of
its. prominence. It is a high quality forested area of very good natural
integrity, the major part of which has not been disturbed for a long time. It
includes an unusual natural community occurrence of Monadnock Forest over mafic
rock, grading into other extensive and representative Dry and Dry-Mesic Oak--
Hickory Forests also over basic rocks. A rare Upland Depression swamp in good
condition is present; ambystomid salamanders use the ephemeral pool for breeding.
General description: This is a prominent monadnock, including the highest point
in Rowan County. The elevation ranges from 730 to 1090 feet. Steep slopes drop
about equally on all sides, which are drained by many small draws and ravines.
The area includes all aspects, all topographic positions from the crest to some
alluvial flats at the bottom, and all slopes from small flats to over 358. The
wide range of topographic relief provides for an equally wide range of moisture
conditions. The only semi-permanent streams are at the base of the mountain.
At least one depression swamp occurs, in a saddle at mid-slope. There are many
boulder outcroppings in otherwise very stony terrain. The geology of the area
is mapped as metamorphosed mafic rock. The soils are mostly of the Enon very
cobbly loam series, on slopes up to 25$. There are other smaller sections of
Uwharrie loam (very stony) on slopes up to 458 and Poindexter-Mocksville complex
soils on 25-458 slopes.
The predominant community type is Dry oak--Hickory Forest. It grades into
Monadnock Forest, Dry-Mesic oak-Hickory Forest, and Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest
in places. Quercus alba, Q. prinus and Nyasa sylvatica are variously dominant,
shifting between sites. common canopy species include Quercus rubra, Q.
velutina, Q. -rilandica, Q. coccinea, Carpa ovalis, C. tomentosa, Pinus
echinata, Liriodendron tulip.ifera, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Praxinus sp. The
upper, north slope of the mountain is rockier and steeper, and it contains less
Carya and more Quercus prinus. The east slope is more gentle, and it contains
more Quercus alba and Carya and also includes Q. marilandica and Q. stellata as
common components. The east slope is lower quality younger growth. The north
slope is older, with larger trees (12-24" dbh), probably at climax. All pines
are residual, large specimens. Along the north slopes of ravines, on the west
and north sides of the mountain, W riodendron is important, with many large
individuals present (<30>" dbh). some of the canopy trees on the east side of
the top appear stunted, and there may be a tendency to Basic Oak--Hickory Forest
there. It is interesting to note that the best expression of Monadnock Forest,
with Quercus prinus dominant, is on Poindexter-Mocksville complex soils derived
from intermediate to mafic rock types, whereas the Dry oak--Hickory Forest is on
the predominant Enon soils and the less common Uwharrie soil. The canopy and
subcanopy are similar in composition, and oxydendrum arboreum is common in the
subcanopy. Corns florida is common to dominant in the understory; the average
dbh is 5.2" for stems over four inches dbh. Cercis canadenais and Asimina
triloba are common on the lower north slope. Daccini.um spp. are common
throughout. Prunus umbellata (W7) was found. overall, the shrub layer is
sparse. The herb layer is also sparse, with the exception of many dense beds of
Iris cristata in the usually dry stream beds on the slopes. other herbs present
include Houstonia purpurea, H. caerulea, Clematis ochroleuca, Chamaelfrium
luteum, and Ziaia trifoliata.
small areas of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest occur on the lowest northwest
slopes above an intermittent stream. ragus grandifolia, Acer aaccharum, and
Liriodendron are important here. Mesic herbs are common, including Polystichum
acrostichoides, Podophyllum peltatum, and Cynogloss= virginianum.
87
An Upland Depression Swamp Forest of one-half to one acre occurs on a small
saddle at mid-slope on the south side of the mountain. Quercus phellos (14" dbh
maximum) is dominant. The understory includes Quercus phellos, Acer rubrum, and
Ulmus alata. A dense vine layer includes Diti.s rotundifolia, Smilax
rotundifolia, and Campsis radicans. carer sp. and clumps of mosses are found in
the depression. There is a well-developed rim without an evident drain. The rim
contains elements of the surrounding= forest, including pine, Acer rubrum, and
celtis sp., but also some cercis canadensis and Ulmus rubra. Locals refer to
this area as the "buffalo wallow." It is on the Enon soil series. Ambystomid
salamanders were observed to use the ephemeral pool for breeding.
Comments: As the highest point in the county, the top of the mountain has been
extensively developed for transmitting facilities. A single road from the south
side accesses the few acres at the top upon which transmitting towers are
located. A transmission line runs up the east slope to the towers at the top.
Some.trash dumping has occurred along the access road.
Protection status and management reco endations: The area should receive a high
priority- for protection. The rocky, steep slopes and soils exhibiting high'
runoff probably inhibit the development potential. However, the area is
certainly at risk for logging. The area should be preserved in undeveloped
condition for its aesthetic contribution to the landscape as well as for the
significance of the high quality natural communities that occur there. The area
is ideally located for a county park serving this part of the county. The land
described here for the natural area should remain in natural condition. Lower
quality undeveloped lands to the north could be developed for park facilities
adjacent to Youngs Mountain proper, yielding 800 or more acres. The natural area
would be of little significance if not for the majority owner who holds 182
acres. A conservation easement or natural area registration agreement should be
sought.
Ownership: The major part (182 acres) of the proposed natural area is owned by
James and Nina Burton, 140 Winterlocken Dr., Salisbury, NC 28144 (704/633-
9334). several other adjacent tracts make up the rest of the natural area.
Documentation references:
Schafale, M., L. Mansburg, and M. Baranski. 1987a. Site survey report for
Youngs Mountain. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
LeGrand, H., S. Oakley, and M. Baranski. 1992a. site survey report for Youngs
Mountain. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
Catawba College biology students. 1980-1994. studies and reports on Youngs
Mountain. Especially J. Sacco, P. Sprague, and T. Davis.
88
9 530 40' 531 :1510000 FEET 532 333 80°37'3C
35
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Site name: Barber Hardpan Forest and Depression Swamps Site number: 77
Significance: Regional integrity: Fair Threat status: Slight
Location: Approximately three-fourths mile northeast of Barber; approximately
one-half north of old US 70 (SR 1957) and east of Southern Railroad, about one-
tenth mile east of Woodleaf-Barber Road (SR 1959).
USGS Quad: Cleveland 1970
Approximate acreage: <17> acres total among four sites
Reasons for significance: These sites have high quality upland Depression Swamp
Forest communities and good quality Xeric Hardpan Forest and Basic Oak--Hickory
Forest communities. The swamps include Quercus lyrata and very large Q. phellos.
The swamps are well-formed, mostly without drains, and they are wetter than many
other swamps of this type. Breeding activity of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma
maculatum) and marbled salamanders (A. opacum) occurs in three of four swamps,
with two, being very important breeding pools as judged from the abundance of
larvae and egg masses.
General description: The areas occupy a broad, upland, flat to gently sloping
low ridge. Elevation is 780-810 feet. The sites are forested remnants
unsuitable for agricultural purposes, but some timber extraction and cattle
grazing have occurred in the past. Remnants of young Xeric Hardpan Forest
remain, as well as four upland Depression Swamp Forest communities, three of
which are of very good quality. The sites recognized as natural areas are all
disjunct from each other. The geology is mapped as metamorphosed mafic rock.
Armenia loam soils underlie three'of the depression swamps; the fourth one is
underlain by Iredell loam. Enon very cobbly loam (very stony) lies under the
Xeric Hardpan Forest. Several other mafic soils are found within the context of
these areas, including Sedgefield (very mafic), Zion, and Poindexter-Mocksville
series.
There are at least four sites representing upland Depression Swamp Forest,
three of which are about one acre in size and one much smaller. Canopies are
closed and the dominant tree is Quercus phellos, although Liquidambar styraciflua
and Acer rubrum are common. In one high quality site, very large Quercus phellos
(up to 36" dbh) are present; this site stays very wet for long periods. Quercus
lyrata occurs in small numbers in another site that has mostly smaller trees,
many with multiple stems from previous logging; this site also stays wet for long
periods and is still judged to be very high quality. An ineffective ditch was
dug long ago in an attempt to drain this latter swamp. Swamp margins consist of
trees from the surrounding Xeric Hardpan or Basic Oak--Hickory Forests.
Understories are sparse to moderately dense, including Acer rubrum, Ulmus alata,
Prunus serotina, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Hyssa sylvatica, depending on the
particular swamp. Herb and shrub layers are sparse. Shrubs and vines present
among the depression sites include Leucothoe racemosa, vaccinlum atrococcum,
Lonicera japonica, and campsis radicans. llitchella repens, carer spp., and
mosses are common, with peatmoss (Sphagnum sp.) being the dominant in several
places.
A good quality Xeric Hardpan Forest occupies an area of about 10 acres on
a flat ridge. The canopy is fairly open with stunted trees of Quercus stellata,
Q.--riZandica, and Q. Alba as dominants, but dominance varies by local site.
Juniperus virginiana is common to sporadic. Some pines and other oaks are
present. The understory is sparse to moderately dense, including transgressives
of the canopy species as well as Ulmus alata, U. rubra, Prunus serotina, and
Liquidambar styraciflua. smilax rotundifoUa occurs infrequently. The sparse
herb layer includes occasional clematis ochroleuca, reindeer lichen (Cladonia
sp.), and mosses. some small wet depressions are included in this community.
There are 10 acres or less of fairly good quality Basic Oak--Hickory
Forest. The canopy is closed, consisting of Quercus spp. and carya carolinae
septentrionalis as dominants. The understory is moderately dense, including Acer
rubrum, Ulmus alata and Prunus serotina. shrub and herb layers are sparse, but
include Lonicera Japonica, Smilax rotundifoUa, vitas rotundffolia, and
Liquidambar seedlings.
90
Comments: The parcels owned by Karl Barber have been routinely visited for study
purposes for several years. Barber has been cooperative in permitting biological
investigation on his property. A large portion of the tracts owned by Laura
Barber heirs was heavily logged in 1992 and 1993. The small sites here
recognized as natural areas were not logged, though buffer areas were drastically
impacted in some cases. As much as 50 acres could be included as natural area
if recently cut-over land and some other areas are included as buffer.
Protection status aid manaaftent recasendations: The main threats are from
logging and ditching: Further logging and ditching should be discouraged. Karl
Barber is aware of the biological significance of the sites. He has permitted
site investigation for a related study on vegetative dynamics on Iredell soils.
The land that was recently logged is owned by a close relative acting of his own
accord; Barber farms part of this land as well as his own. Karl Barber will
likely soon retire from farming, so the future of the lands is in question. A
natural area registration. agreement may be the best way to secure protection for
these natural areas..;
Ownership: Karl Barber Sr--., 1785 Old US Hwy. 70, Cleveland, NC 27013 (704/278-
2163); Laura E. Barber heirs, POB 7, Barber, NC 27008.
Documentation references:
LeGrand, H., S. Oakley, and M. Baranski. 1992b. Site survey report for Barber
Hardpan Forest. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
Frye, C. T., and M. J. Baranski. 1991. community dynamics on a montmorillonite
soil in North Carolina. ASB Bull. 38(2):115.
Frye, C. T. 1989b. Vegetation dynamics on Iredell series soils. Independent
Study in Biology, Catawba college. (unpublished) (Paper presented at NCAS
annual meeting)
91
Site name: Barber Basic Oak--Hickory Forest Site number: 76
Significance: Regional Integrity: Good Threat status: slight
Location: Approximately one mile east of Barber. on south side of old Us 70 (SR
1957); east of, and adjacent to, Hilderbrand Brand (SR 1939).
USGS Quad: Cleveland 1970, Rowan Mills PR 1987
Approximate acreage:=<23> acres
Reasons for significance: This is a good example of Basic Oak--Hickory Forest
that includes some small Upland Depression Swamps.
General description: The site lies on an upland flat of a small., ridge.
Elevation is 760-780 feet. Roads bound the north and west sides. The east and
south; sides are bounded by pasture. The natural;, area consists of a uniformly
mature forest, though it has likely been selectively cut in the past The
natural communities are developed over metamorphosed mafic rock. The soil series
is Iredell loam. (This is the type location for this soil in Rowan County.) A
very tight clay hardpan occurs about one foot deep. slopes range from 0-5%.
There are several small wet shallow depressions and some rocky spots.
The Basic oak--Hickory Forest is a mature climax commitiity in good
condition. The forest is uneven-aged with trees up to 20" dbh. The canopy is
dominated by Quercus alba and Q. stellata. Other canopy species include Quercus
rubra, Q. velutina, Q. falcata, Q. shumard1 , Nyasa sylvatica, L.irlodendron
tulipifera, Carya tomentosa, C. ovata, and C. glabra. The understory consists
of Cornus florida, Prunus - serotina, Cercis canadensis, Carpinus caroliniana,
Celt3s occidentalis var. georgiaaa, and 01mus alata. Viburnum prunifolium,
sypericum hypericoides, Ilea sp., and Symphoricarpos orbiculatus are present.
The herb layer is sparse but includes Chimaphila maculata, Clematis ochroleuca,
Galium sp., and Desmodium rotundifolium.
in several small areas, each approximately one-tenth acre or less in size,
upland Depression swamp communities are developed. These depressions have no
obvious drainage, but they don't appear to hold as much water or for as long a
period of time as other better developed swamps of this type. They are dominated
by a canopy of Quercus phellos, Frax nus americana, U1mus rubra, and Acer rubr=.
The understory includes mostly the same species, but it is not well-developed.
Bumelia lycioides (W7,-; S2S3,G5) is a rare occurrence. Rhus radicans is an
abundant vine. Anisostichus capreolata, Smilax hispida, and Aristolochia
serpentaria are present.
Comments: This is part of a 155 acre tract owned by the same person.
Protection status and management recommendations: The only protection the area
needs is to be left alone. No timber cutting or cattle grazing should occur.
A natural area registration agreement with the landowner should be sought.
Ownership: P. H. Satterwhite, 728 Klumac Road, Apt.. 231-C, Salisbury, NC 28144
(704/278-2318).
Documentation references:
LeGrand, H., S. Oakley, and M. Baranski. 1992c. site survey report for Barber
Basic Oak--Hickory Forest. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
Frye, C. T., and M. J. Baranski. 1991. Community dynamics on a montmorillonite
soil in North Carolina. ASB Bull. 38(2):115.
Frye, C. T. 1989. Vegetation dynamics on Iredell series soils. Independent
Study in Biology, Catawba college. (unpublished) )Paper presented at NCAS
annual meeting)
schafale, M., L. Mansburg, and M. Baranski. 1987b. Site survey report for
Barber Oak--Hickory Forest. North Carolina Natural Heritage program.
92
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Site name: oak Mountain Quartzite Ridge Site number: 46
Significance: Regional integrity: Good Threat status: Slight
Location: Approximately three miles southeast of Barber, between Sherrills Ford
Road (SR 1526) and Goodnight Road (SR 1735), just east of white Road (SR 1737).
Best access is from end of Oak Mountain Road (SR 1733).
USGS ouad: Rowan Mills PR 1987
AWroximate acreage: 140-145 acres
Reasons for significance: This area includes fair to good large examples of Dry
Oak--Hickory Forest and Monadnock Forest and small examples of Mesic°Mixed
Hardwood and Basic Oak--Hickory Forest. There are some good stands of old-growth
Quercus prinus with very high site index, more mesic than typically found.;-some
species, are present in the natural area that are, otherwise not widely distributed
in Rowan county. Iles ambigua var. ambigua (W7.-; S2,G4G5) is present.. Oak
mountain is an important aesthetic feature of the visual landscape and is a
significant open space that should be protected for the natural values that it
provides in Rowan county.
General description: This area is a prominent monadnock ridge, dissected by
several large ravines on the west, north and east sides. It is entirely forested
except at the bases which are mostly cleared and in agricultural use. A natural
gas pipeline crosses in the center, and a transmission line crosses on the north
end. The elevation ranges from 660-893 feet. Slopes vary between 5-358 on all
aspects. The elevated part of the ridge is over quartzite rock, but the ridge
is surrounded by metamorphosed quartz diorite. There are lots of rock
outcroppings on the main ridge. various soils occur, including Cecil sandy loam,
Pacolet sandy loam, and Uwharrie loam (very stony). Four communities are
recognized within a natural area defined to include most of the mountain.
Piedmont Monadnock Forest occurs on crests and upper slopes from the
highest points down to about the 780 foot contour line in the portion of the
natural area south of the pipeline. It occurs on Uwharrie soils and occupies
about one-third of the natural area. The canopy is closed, but the forest has
a very open aspect and is of short to moderate height. Typical canopy trees are
10-16" dbh, but occasional 25" dbh specimens occur. There are many smaller
trees. Quercus prinus is dominant; oxydendrum arboreum, Q. coccinea, and Pinus
echinata are secondarily important. other dry site trees also occur. The
subcanopy, shrubs and herbs are sparse, except in small areas of young second
growth, where the subcanopy is more dense (including more pines and W riodendron
tulipifera). Vaccinium stamineus is the most important shrub, but it is sparsely
distributed. There are some patches of symphoricarpos orbiculatus and Vaccinium
vacillans. Viburnum prunifolius and V. rufidulum occur. There are some thickets
of Rhus radicans. smilax spp. and Vitis rotundffolia occur. chimaphila maculate
is the most abundant herb; but Coreopsis aajor var. stellata and Hypericum sp.
also occur. The highest parts of the ridge have the oldest phases of this
community. The lower side slopes are significantly younger.
Most of the area consists of Dry Oak--Hickory Forest on Cecil, Pacolet and
uwharrie soils. This community is situated north of the pipeline (on the crest,
in the saddle, and on side slopes except for the north slope and ravine) and in
the southern part below about 780 feet elevation. Important canopy trees are
Quercus alba (12-26" dbh), 0. coccinea, and Q. falcata. Q. prinus is present,
but less important, except locally in ravines and broad slopes and on the
northeast side. carya spp. (18-20" dbh) are common. Q. velutim, Q. rubra
(mostly 12715" dbh), and 0. stellata (10-18" dbh) are common. A few pines occur.
canopy height is mostly moderate, except in ravines and northeast slopes where
very tall trees occur. It is a nice forest, mostly open, and obviously
selectively cut long ago. There is a patchy mix of young and old phases. Some
of the successional stands have large *-;riodendron tulipifera (20" dbh). In one
northeast-facing ravine, there are many very nice and tall Quercus prinus (30"
dbh). There were lots of small stands of big trees, especially Quercus prinus,
but many of them were severely damaged by Hurricane Hugo and were being salvage-
logged at the time of the site visit. cornus florida is abundant in the
understory. ailanthus altissima is invading some of the blowdowns. shrubs,
94
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vines and herbs are similar to the Monadnock Forest community, but with more
mesic tendencies.
A MesiC Mixed Hardwood Forest occupies a small north slope at the point of
the ridge north of the transmission line on Pacolet soil. This fair to good
quality community is of mixed age, trees typically 12-20" dbh. Quercus albs, 0.
rubra, 0. coccinea, Carya tomentosa (18" dbh), and Tagus grandifolia (10-20" dbh)
are important. Pagus saplings are common in the understory, but Robinia pseudo-
acacia saplings are abundant. A large rock face is present, and Corylus cornuta
.:s.abundant there. other shrubs include Corplus americana, 8uonymus americans,
Rhododendron audiflorum, Castanea.,,pumila, and Ilea ambigua var. ambigua. A
diverse mesic herb layer occurs,,.including Polystichum acrostichoides,ilitchella
repens, Smilacina racemosa, Polygonatum biflorum, Trillium catesbaei, vvularia
sp., Sanguinaria canadenais,°',CindcJfuga racemosa, Adiantum pedatum, Athyr1um
asplenioides, Arisaema triphyllum, Tbalictrum thalictroides, Thelypteris
heaagonoptera, Cryptotaenia canadensis, Salvia urticifolia, and Scutellar18
serrata. Polypodium polypodioides is present. Piedmont Alluvial Forest merges
into this community at the bottom of the slope.
A ravine oriented.due north on the north end of the natural area appes
to contain a community tentatively called Basic,+Qak--Hickory Forest. on Pacolet'
soil. Community quality is good. Trees are tall and XOLge 15-20" 'dbh.
Important canopy species are Quercus alba, 0. velutina, 0. co ea:, Q. falcata,
0. rubra (20" dbh), Carya avata (24" dbh), and ziriodendron tul?pafera (24" dbh).
.7uglans nigra (6" dbh) is present, and oxydendrum arboreum is common. There are
no Quercus prfnus. The subcanopy includes Carya ovata, sta inus americana,
Cercis canadensis, and Xorzw rubra. shrubs include large populations of Rhus
aromatica, Chionanthus virginicus, Rhododendron nudifloram (tentative
identification), and Castanea pumila. vines are Rhus radicans and vitas app.
The shrubs and transgressives are quite dense. Herbs present include Galium
circaeaans, slephantopus sp., Smilacina racemosa, Heaastylis arifolia, Hatelea
sp., Woscorea villosa, and Asplenium platyneuron.
Comments: A 200 acre tract on the southwest side is owned by cannon Mills,, which
operates a pump station from second creek at the point of the ridge. There is
an old road out the top of the mountain, becoming only a trail northward. There
is an old road along the base of the north slope and in the second creek bottom
where Piedmont Alluvial Forest occurs. The communities are considered to be in
only fair to good condition for two reasons: 1) the pipeline and transmission
line which cross the natural area, and 2) the presence of skid trails and logging
roads built to accommodate salvage logging (particularly of large Quercus prinus)
in places on the east side of the ridge. The extent of salvage logging that has
occurred since site study should be determined before formally defining the
boundaries of the natural area.
Protection status and management recommendations: Because a large part of this
natural area is on an Agricultural Experimental station owned by the State of
North Carolina and is not used for agricultural operations, it should be possible
to arrange for protection through the Plant Conservation Program, a unit of the
North Carolina Department of Agriculture. A protection agreement might involve
a memorandum of understanding or a formal natural area registry. The research
farm personnel would need to stop active timber management and salvage logging
on this tract to secure the integrity of the natural area.
Protection for the remainder of the natural area would have to be
negotiated with the other two owners. Ideally, the whole mountain can be
protected if all three owners can agree to natural area recognition for these
parts of their tracts.
Ownership: Lower half is owned by the
Agricultural Research station, Cleveland,
part of the upper half is owned by Charles
Rd., Salisbury, NC 28144 (704/278-4865).
water Co. Acquisition Corp., 205 west Ave.
State of North Carolina (Piedmont
NC 27013 (704/278-2624)). Northern
and Edith Barger, 8824 Sherrills Ford
Most of the upper half is owned by
PO Drawer GG, Rannapolis, NC 28081.
95
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Site name: Dunn Mountain Site number: 55
Significance: Regional Integrity: Fair Threat status: Extreme
Location: Approximately four miles southeast of Salisbury. Southeast corner of
intersection of stokes Ferry Road (SR 1004) and Dunns Mountain Road (SR 2131).
y e
USGS Ouad: Salisbury PR 1987, Rockwdll PR 1987
Approximate acreage: 40 ($0) acres
Reasons for.sianificance: From a regional viewpoint, this is a botanically
interesting area. It is also representative'of a unique part of Rowan County's
natural heritage. A great diversity of vascular plants occurs here, lough the.
natural integrity of mosto the communities is only poor. There°are some good
small examples of Granitic.Flatrock (ranks G3, S2), Piedmont •Monadnock,andlR-,;
associated open barrens woodland communities. An"'abundance of outcrop end
species occurs here, including Diamorpha sm OLU (Wl,-; S1,G3G4), TSh
teretifolium, and'Arenara spp. (possibly including A. aniflora {E, 3C; Sl,GjG4p
There is a large, vigorous population of Anenbbe°,berlandieri (G,-; S1,G304? ?
numbering in the many hundreds. several disjunct coastal Plait spec ias,ar0'
present, including Lycopodium appressum, splranthes laciniata,(c,-; 81,G4G5),
Amelanchier spicata, Sleochaiis mlcrocarpa (W5), and Opunt,?a dtammondil
(tentative identification).
General description: This natural area lies on a prominent granite monadnock.
The monadnock is generally forested except for many open quarry-sites and some
small areas of natural flatrock. Much of the area has been highly disturbed by
past quarrying activity, but late successional and maturing forests cover
significant parts of the mountain that were not disturbed by active quarrying.
The elevation range is 850-1010 feet. Slopes range from gentle to steep. The
geology consists of pink granite of the Salisbury Plutonic Suite. Huge
picturesque boulder outcrops are on the west side of the mapped area. All
outcrops are gently sloping. The soils are all of the Ashlar-Rock outcrop
complex. some are very bouldery. old roads, deep pools in quarry pits, granite
rubble piles, old trash dumps, and the effects of modern graffiti and "partying"
characterize much of the mountain. Some firewood cutting occurred on lower.
slopes about 10 years ago. Areas off of the beaten paths remain in recently
undisturbed or even natural condition. Erosion of soils has been extremely
heavy, with much gullying on the southwestern side in an old pine field. There
has been severe pine windthrow, particularly on the southeast side, probably from
Hurricane Hugo.
Dunn Mountain is near the northern end of the Salisbury Pluton. This is
the largest and best exposed intrusion in Rowan county. The pink granite is
highly desired by the mining industry, and there is long historical and current
quarrying activity on the Pluton, resulting in most of the low intrusions being
highly disturbed from just north of Dunn mountain to the south in a band about
eight miles long. Dunn mountain, as the largest prominence in the Pluton, has
been most visible to the public and to biologists, therefore, it is the best
known. There is a long history of visitation and study by biologists since at
least the 1950s. In 1979, Babcock reported 125 taxa of vascular plants; many
have been added since his study. Rologiski and Hill (1972) reported Isoetes
melanopoda and Portulaca pilosa for Dunn mountain; neither of these has been
located since that report.
The area defined as a natural area for purposes of this report has been
delineated to exclude the worst, most disturbed parts of Dunn Mountain. However,
community descriptions are derived for the mountain as a whole. Besides the
communities described below, there are numerous ecotonal and scrub/shrub areas.
The Granite Flatrock communities are typical outcrop communities with most
of the characteristic endemics present. Natural vernal pools are not abundant.
Most of the succession is dry rather than wet. Mosses and lichens cover most of
the rock surfaces. Large mats have formed on some few outcrops here and there,
and the other outcrop species form characteristic zonation on these rocks.
Convex surfaces predominate and, consequently, deep soils that can support woody
vegetation are not abundant. Slippage of mats is quite common. Herbaceous
plants common to generally dominant on the larger outcrops include: Arenaria
99
groenlandica var. glabra, Diamorpba small", Tallnum teretifollum, Opuntia
compressa, Hypericum gentianoldes, Diodi8 terse, Crotonopsls ell3ptica,
Cbeilanthes lanosa, Festuca myuros, Casm:elIna erecta, Seneclo small", and S.
tomentosus. Ailanthus altloolma is a problem in some mats. Andropogon op. is
common on deeper mats. A few deeper mats contain small Juniperus virginlana and
Pinus virginiana. Selaginella rupestris is also common. The best remaining
natural outcrops occur on the eastern side of the mapped natural area.
Shallow to deep pools occur; in areas that have been quarried over
impermeable rock. These may be,..desp small or large (2500 ft2) pits, or shallow
excavations that may only have mucky substrates in the driest times. Most of
these are in open, heavily quarried areas, but a few occur. as isolated and shaded
hidden pools in the forest or under blowdowns. The aquatic and wet ?ite_species
'in these pools include Typha latifolia,'Zyris torta, Juncus spp.,.-Zudwlgia
alternifolfa, bycopodium ° appressum, Rhynchospora capitellata, keocbarls
mi,crocarpa, Pimbristylis spp., Xecardonia acuminata, Granola viscidula. and,
Scirpus-cyperlnus.
A Piedmont Monadnock Forest appears to be the natural communit for „e
forested part of .the mountain. only phut one-third of the mountain is occp%,
by late successional or maturing forest, this;beJ.ng a small section on th" µ
northwest side (not included in natural area boundaries, though_jit is very''
striking with its huge boulder mazq and microhabitats) and a lar-ger,aection on
all of the east side. The remainder of the forest is successional_p.ne?aweetgum;,
apparently leading to this type. in the older second-growth, many-:,of the trees
are 12" dbh or greater. Quercus prima typically has over one-half of the
importance (largest trees about 20" dbh). Plnus virginiam is common (about one-
sixth of importance value). other common., trees are Quercus marilandica, Q.
velutina, Carya glabra, C. tomentosa, and C. pallida. Some Liriodendron
tullpifera, Liquidambar styraclflua, Quercus Alba, Q. falcata, and Juniperus
virginlana may be present. understory species variously include Acer rubrum,
Cornus flozlda, Juniperus virginlana, Crataegus uniflora, and Amelancbler
arborea. The more common shrubs are Viburnum rufidulum, Vaccinlum arboreum, v.
stamiaeum, V. vacillans, Cblonanthus virglnicus, Rhododendron nudiflorum, Celtls
occidentalls var. georgiana, and Rhus copallina. Smilar app., vitis app., and
Lonicera japonica may be locally important, particularly in blowdown areas that
also are invaded by Ailanthus altissima. in areas with apparently thinner soils,
the forest becomes very open and quite short in stature, with large grassy awards
developing and dominated by Stipa avenacea, Danthonia sericen, and D. spicata.
Maybe these should be referred to as "Flatrock woodland Glades" or "Barrens
woodlands." Herbs commonly found in this forest overall include oaalls vlolacea,
Anemone berlandierl, Cunila origanoldes, Penstemon canescens, Coreopsls major
var. major, Acalypha gracilens, mWborbia corollate, Cbimmphila maculata, and
Asplenium platyneuron.
Comments: Thick patches of Lonicera japonica occur in many blowdowns. An
extensive extant quarry operates less than one mile to the northeast.
Transmission lines traverse the southern edge of the natural area. old fields,
pastures, and young successional (mostly pine) woodlands are on the lower slopes
adjacent to the natural area on the southwestern to eastern sides. state roads
bound the general site vicinity on the northwest and northeast sides. The N.C.
Department of Transportation has recently maintained a gravel storage area on the
southwest side near SR 2131.
Most of the immediate area has been thoroughly explored. The area further
to the east and southeast on other private property still has potential for good
sites and should be explored. Recently completed soil conservation service field
sheets indicate extensive rock outcroppings in that direction.
Protection status and manaaement recommendations: The tract that includes the
mapped natural area has been abandoned of active quarrying for many decades.
However, recent information suggests that some active quarrying may resume. The
best natural sites are on the east side of the mountain, including at least two
nice outcrop communities, some older second-growth monadnock forest, and the
Anemone berlandierl population. If this area does not have desirable rock
characteristics for quarrying, it may be possible to arrange for a natural area
registration agreement or a conservation easement. The public does not seem to
bother the east side, being drawn to the higher, and larger, outcrops that have
100
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been extensively quarried and where vistas are visible. If quarrying does
resume, then, of course, even those parts of the mountain would be off limits to
the public. Some of the outcrops in marginal condition could be cleaned up with
great effort and expense. Intervention of natural succession may be necessary
to maintain a large Anemone population. without fire, only patch dynamics may
keep it going.
ownershi Matthews International Corporation, Box 4999 (Two Northshore Center),
Pittsburg;., PA 15212-5851. owns. 98 acres here, only part of which is included
in the mapped boundary. The entire tract may have been sold recently to another
"prospective mining interest.
Documentation references:
Babcock, J. C. 1979. vegetation and community analysis of Dunn Mountain 'in
Rowan county, North'carolina. Research paper for Ecology class, Cata
college. (unpublished
Babcock, J. C. 1980. Vegetation and community analysis of Dunn Mountain, Ron
County, North Carolina. CANCAS 26(1):42_-53. N
Harrington, D. S. 1983. onset of flowering 'in two" granite outcrop anaua s,z?
Arenaria glabra and Diamorpha smallii. Master's Thesis, UNC-Greensboro
Kologiski, R., and D. Hill. 1972. North Carolina natural areas'su'pvey report
form for Dunn mountain.
101

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GRANITE QUARRY 1 MI. (ROCKWELL) /BERTY 6 Ml. 5' 59 I s<?
ALBEMARLE 26 ML 4033 III SW
SCALE 1:240M
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CONTOUR INTERVAL 10 FE 102
NATIONAL GEODETIC VERTICAL DATUM
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Site name: Crane Creek Georgia Aster Site Site number: 58
Siaaificance: County Intearity: Poor Threat status: Moderate
Location: Within Salisbury city limits. South side of stokes Ferry Road (SR
1004) across from Sills Drive, 0.1-0.2 mile east of Crane Creek.
tJ5Gi;' Quad: Salisbury PR 1987
AMrom,imatt a2" CM Population area`is 10-100 m2
0M s for significance: This site contains a moderate-size popul tion of the
,rgia aster (Aster georgianus) (C, C2 ; S1, G2G3 ) numbering about 200 i tictuals .
General description: The elevation of the site is 730 feet. The aspect is,.,
northVest.. The slope is 0-5%. The population exists under filtered light an
'shady conditions on a perennially disturbed roadside, under a powerline,
adjacent natural vegetation is successional pine and hardwood. The site lids
over Cecil sandy clay loam derived from metavolcanic.rock. The population seemtr
to be in generally good condition, but the number of flowering stems, has seemed t
to decrease since 1991.
Comments: A driveway connection to a new residence was recently colstructed to
the west of the population. Similar construction at this site could" destroy the
population.
Highway trash detracts from the quality of the site.
Protection status and manaaement recommendations: This population can probably
be sustained by maintaining the proper open roadside conditions. Mowing of the
highway right-of-way should be done early in the summer to prevent damage to the
developing plants that flower in the fall. coordination should be pursued with
the North Carolina Department of Transportation to develop a right-of-way
maintenance schedule that does not damage the population.
ownership: Assumed to be owned by the NCDOT as a highway right-of-way. some
plants could be on adjacent private land.
103
Site name: Granite Quarry Georgia Aster sites Site number: 59
Sianificance: County Intearity: Poor Threat status: Moderate
Location: East side of Granite Quarry, partly in the city limits. Along Us 52
and southern Railway, southeast of Dunn Mountain Road (SR 2131).
4885, 4aad: Rockwell PR 1987
Apbrga,eeage:. At least five separate areas, totaling 2.5 acres or more
K-eaa_s n for Sianificance: These sites contain populations 'of the "orgia aster
Oster georgfanus) (C,C2; s1,G2G3), possibly numbering betwe x .00-1000
individuals.
Gengral description: The elevation of the sites s.._about 840 feet. The Mite ft", i
lie on various aspects.- The lopes are 0-5$. the populations exist u3af'.
generally filtered light and,shady conditions. ill'sites are disturbed throng .
either roadside, powerline, or railroad right-of-way maintenance. The natural<
community in adjacent areas is mostly Dry oak R ekory Forest or #_accessional
pine forest. There are some rocky areas. All sites appear to be tiger granite
of the Salisbury Plutonic suite. Plants occur mostly di vanc6. sandy foams, but
some are on saw-Pacolet complex soils and possibly Rion-Wedowee-Ashlar complex
soils.
comments: Conditions seem to be remaining constant since the populations were
first studied in 1991. The largest threats are from late-season mowing of
roadsides and powerlines and use of herbicides along the railroad right-of-way.
However, many plants were noted in flower in prostrate mowed condition.
Development of roadside tracts could eliminate some populations.
Protection status and management recomsendations: These populations can probably
be sustained by maintaining the proper open and frequently disturbed conditions.
Mowing of the highway right-of-way should be done early in the summer to prevent
damage to the developing plants that flower in the fall. Coordination should be
pursued with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to develop a right-
of-way maintenance schedule that does not damage the population. similar
coordination might be pursued with the southern Railway and the utility company
that maintains the powerline. Populations on private land may be impossible to
save from development.
ownership: The roadside populations are assumed to be owned by the NCDOT as a
highway right-of-way. southern Railway controls the sites along the railroad.
Some populations are on private land adjacent to the roadside.
104
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Site name: Rock Grove church Granite Outcrops Site number: 54
Sianificance: State Intearity: Good Threat status: Moderate
Location: Approximately 4.5 miles west of Rockwell and 0.75 mile southwest of
shupings Mill. One mile southeast of NC 152 on Rock Grove Church Road (SR 2559).
WG35, ONdhR kwell PR 1987
.
,A?urt`Cai?e. asaae:: Several small parcels, <30> acres total
Reasons for significance: some small areas of uncommon Gra ,.te Flatrock
immunities (ranks S2, G3) are in. gogd._condtion. The major rop,: or the
sf nificance of the complex of sites here is the great abundance, ;XAgor 'f
po k}lations 9f the threatened. Portulaca sm:allsi (T, 3c; S2 , G3) , the dom inapt
spe s on many of the outcrops;. Dlamorpha ama1.I34 (Wl,-; S3,G3G4) and Jim"
secundus (w7,-; sl=,G52} occur. A great diversit'y' of granite outcrop spe
isy_ present,. There is good; potential for the. 'occurrence of other sp ee
typically found on outcrops.
General description: This area, at the southern end of, the granitlk'.Salisbury
Plutonic Suite which extends from here northward to the. vicinity of Duch
Mountain, contains many (dozens) open small (1/100 acre) to large (1 acre)
Granitic Flatrock communities, interspersed among xeric woodlands, yards and'`
fields. A number of rock outcrops occur along a county road, in a churchyard,,-
and off the road in an area that has been heavily quarried. Slopes are generally;
flat to gentle below a small high knob, but there are steep slopes on the knob
itself. The high knob contains a Monadnock community, and some of the deeper
soil areas can probably be characterized as Dry Oak--Hickory Forest. Several
quarry pits now function as pool communities, some deep, and some quite shallow
with mucky shores. There are some very small natural depressions on some of the
rock that support vegetation with wet affinities. Elevations in the vicinity of
all these outcrops ranges between 860-950 feet. Rock Grove Methodist church lies
over a large flatrock zone, a portion of which remains in essentially undisturbed
condition. Small fields and rural residences are located throughout the general
area. Soils are very bouldery Ashlar-Rock outcrop complex and Rion-Wedowee-
Ashlar complex. Possibly 30 acres in the site complex might be considered
noteworthy or of higher integrity. Possibly only about three acres in total.,
scattered among the sites in the area, are larger open flatrocks.
Most of the pluton area is highly disturbed due to past quarrying activity,
pasturing, and other human activity. Moderate to dense rural-residential
development occurs throughout. Agriculture is no longer important. Hurricane
Hugo damage was severe over these thin soils in this part of the county. Pine
forests, in particular, have suffered extensive windthrow damage. Impenetrable.
blowdowns covered with vines and successional species have formed over wide
areas.
The general community descriptions and species lists are based on the area
as a whole and, for the most part, do not describe specific outcrops or other
locations. The better and more biologically important examples of granitic
flatrock and other communities are noted by site number on the Site survey
Report. The better examples are much less common than the disturbed, trashed,
and modified areas.
The major reason for significance is the abundance of Portulaca -7111 on
many of the outcrops. It is often the dominant species, thriving under open,
sunny conditions, particularly in shallow, soil-filled crevices and depressions
and edges of depressions. It tends to occur at up to 1008 density on thinner
soils, but it coexists with other outcrop species as well. In many places, it
is thriving under conditions of high disturbance and heavy human use, such as
parking areas and an area used for farm equipment storage. Many populations are
large, and overall, the numbers of individuals in the area are surely in the
thousands. Many reproductive individuals were seen on each site visit. It is
most abundant on three of the sites mapped in the complex. It was not found on
some of the outcrops.
The Granitic Flatrock communities are typical examples of the type.
Species typically found on these outcrops are abundant Portulaca ama7111, TaUnum
teretifollum, Arenarla groenlandica var. glabra, Diamorpha amallsi, crotonopais
106
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'6111ptica, and Commelina comvmls. commonly occurring species include Diodia
teres, Selaginella rupeatris, Opuntia compressa, and A 1jum canadense. Wet
species include Cyperus`ovularis, rlmbristylls dichotoma, .Juncos secundus, and
Rhexia'mariana. _,Other forbs and graminoids occur, as well as abundant black rock
moss (GrSmmia sp.), hair-cap moss (Polytrichum sp.), and reindeer lichen
(Cladonia Sp-4. The site in the churchyard is in good condition and probably the
best ?f=the open.flatrocks. it is about one acre in size and has lots of wet
pool-ii"w h'dee' substrates. There is no overstory, but some weedy Ailanthus
altisg a ans! wa filamentosa are present.
"The xric woodlands surrounding many of the outcrops are a type of Dry oak-
+y,'r kary Forest that might better be-.called "Granitic Fla k Barrgns
lands." These are mostly open, glade4like,or barrens-like c n
v thin soils and small outcroppings throughout the area. They°#re a ?:I, "
fly a of 160er,,slopes or on upper slopes and crests. Bare rock on steeper sloltos .
usually has, moss and lichen coverage only; but other areas support good fore, a h,
(about 12" dbh average) . T,he most important canopy °sjacies are Pins virgins '
.7urtiperus *irg:niaaa, and a glabra. common specie are Qoercus stellata'
pr3nus, Q. albs, Nyasa sylvaca, carya tomentosa, aAilanthus altissima A
smattering of other trees is present. common sh s , afire, Rbus copaI.I"a,
Daccfnium arboreum and Chionanthus virginfcus, "but other,., species' such as
viburnum prunifolium, v. rufidulum, Yucca, filamentosa Callacarpa-,.aXGricaaa,`
Robinia hispida, and other vaccinium app. may be present. Parthenocisstus.,
quinquefolia and_vitis rotundifolia are common vines, but Smilax bona nox and
Lonicera sempervirens also occur. Forbs are not abundant, except for senecio
tomentosus. others which may be present include Aster spp., Relianthus spp*a
Suphorbia corollata, comme- na app., and Rhexia mariana. some areas are covered
with glades of Danthonia sericea. Nonvascular species include Polytrichum sp.,
abundant Grimmi8 s p,; Cladonia op., common eatmoss (SPha9A= s p.), P•? P P•)? and other
mosses. There is a lot of variation among sites, including open glade-like'
areas, pine/cedar barrens, rocky hardwood forests and barrens, and open
pine/flatrock barrens with peatmoss filled depressions.
Monadnock Forest occupies the crest, highest parts, and north side of the
knob. A good small example of the type has Quez=s prinus dominant (24-28" dbh
maximum), but Q. albs (15-17" dbh), Carya tomentosa (up to 22" dbh, but mostly
smaller), and C. glabra are also important. The understory is rather thick,
including Cornus florida, sassafras albidum, Quercus coccinea, and Q. rubra.
Shrubs are scarce,'but include viburnum rafidulum, vaccinium stamfneum, and
8ypericum stragalum. vitis labrusca and v. rotundifolia are present. Herbs were
not noted. The soil appears deep and leaf litter is thick around large boulders
covered with rock tripe (ambilicaria sp.). The forest has neither an open nor
a flatrock aspect.
Large pools over solid rock resulting from past quarrying activity are
common, particularly on the side of the knob. Dominant or abundant species
include Sleocharis sp.,...Juncas secundus, and Lobelia sp. common species are
Rhexia mariana, .Juncos effusus, .Juncos sp., Rhynchospora sp., and Gratiola
vlscidula. Some atricularia sp. and Ludwigia vlrgata are present.
Comments: Most of the better looking areas were investigated, but much more site
work could be done.
Protection status and management recommendations: Site significance should be
promulgated to owners. Any activity that causes rock surface deterioration or
destruction should be avoided. wood cutting and other abusive activities should
be discouraged. Each individual area is quite small, but some (such as the one
in front of Rock Grove Methodist church) could probably be recognized as
registered natural areas.
ownership: At least eight different outcrops have been identified in this
complex. Ownership has been determined for three of the more significant
outcrops. 1) Rock Grove Methodist church, Rt. 3, Box 407, Salisbury, Nc 28144.
2) Willard and Curtis Overcash, 1205 Rock Grove Church Rd., Salisbury, NC 28144.
3) Dwight Overcash, 545 Rock Grove church Road, Salisbury, Nc 28146 (704/279-
2078).
107

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?oP?? Mapped, edited, and published by the Geological Survey

Site name: South Yadkin River Heath Bluff site number: 2
Significance: State integrity: very Good Threat status: Slight
Location: Extreme northwestern tip of county; northwest of Dooley Road (SR 1979)
and north of cool springs Road (SR 1003). Approximately one-half mile east of
Iredell county line along South Yadkin River.
uSGS Quad: Cool Springs 1969
Ayvrozimate acreage: 22 acres
Reasons for significance: This area includes good quality representative
examples of Piedmont Heath Bluff and associated Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest. The
plant diversity is high. There are some soil/vegetation relationships that are
quite interesting and possibly unique, probably due to the basic affinities of
the Poindexter-Mocksville complex of soils at the site.
General description: The natural area is in a large generally wooded and
undeveloped section of irregular topography with very narrow ridges. The general
area is one of the largest continuously forested areas in western Rowan County.
This natural area occupies large bluffs and steep slopes above the South Yadkin
River. Some rocky cliff areas occur. small deep ravines cut the main slope, and
one larger ravine with a small stream divides two bluff areas. There is a narrow
riparian fringe and floodplain above the river. some small pastures and formerly
cultivated bottomlands are adjacent on both sides. The elevation ranges from 680
to 750 feet, and slopes range from 10% to nearly vertical. Metavolcanic rocks
of interbedded felsic to mafic tuffs and flowrock underlie the area. The upland
soils are in the Poindexter-Mocksville complex, a soil which has basic
characteristics. The natural area is a remnant inclusion in a section that has
been logged at different times over the years, resulting in a mosaic of mixed and
even aged patches. A lot of the land has been, or is currently, pastured,
including some of the woodlands. Primitive access roads and old logging roads
are evident throughout the section.
The greater portion of the natural area is occupied by Piedmont Heath
Bluff. A small, rather heavily silted stream in a large ravine divides the
community into two distinct portions. The larger portion on a steep slope facing
due north is dominated by Pagus grandifolia, and Liriodendron tulipifera is
common. A diverse and well-developed shrub layer includes %almia latifolia,
Hydrangea arborescens, Hamamelis virginiaaa, Leucothoe aaillarla var. editorum,
and Viburnum acerifolium. The smaller portion, on a northwest-facing slope is
dominated by Pagus grandifolia and Quercus alba, with Liriodendron tulipifera and
Quercus rubra of secondary importance. This portion is characterized by an
impenetrable shrub layer of Rhododendron ma:,m,,m, with some Leucothoe aaillaris
var. editor= and Nalmia latifolia mixed in. These are old stands, with dbh of
trees averaging 15-20". The largest trees in the community are ragus grandifolla
and W riodendron tulipifera, from 24-28" dbh. Magnolia tripetala and Halesia
carolina are common in the subcanopy. The herb layer is moderately diverse; the
most important taxa include Smilacina racemosa, Heaastylis virginica, Polystichum
acrostichoides, Thelypteris hesagonoptera, Arisaema triphyllum, Aster spp.,
Tiarella cordifolia, Poa sp., and I,uzula spp. The herb layer does not exist
where the evergreen shrubs are most dense. Some other taxa present, indicating
the richness of the site,- are Fraxinus americana, Tilia sp., staphylea trifolia,
chionanthus virgini.cus, Circaea lutetiana asp. canadensis, sanguinaria
canadensls, Galium circaezans, Phrymn leptostachya, cimicifuga racemosa,, and
Aruncus dioicus. The Heath Bluff community is not clearly separable from a Mesic
Mixed Hardwood Forest community in many places, particularly in the western
portion of the natural area and near the tops of the slopes. in places the
transition is even more toward a Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest. In the upper
cove portion of the ravine that divides the bluffs, the stand is 100% Pagus
grandifolia and very open underneath. The Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest has herbs
similar to the Heath Bluff, but the shrubs are mostly deciduous. However, Kalmi.a
latifolia was quite common at great distances back away from the bluff side near
the river, extending all the way to the upper part of the largest ravine. The
overall quality of these communities is good. They have been partly impacted by
selective cutting and probably by livestock in years past, but recovery has been
27
excellent. A small fringe of Piedmont Alluvial Forest, of no particular note,
lies at the base of the bluff.
Comments: Site factors affecting distribution of Na]mia latifolia and
Rhododendron maximal are puzzling and interesting. Amelancbier spicata, a rare
shrub in the Piedmont is present.
Protection status and management recommendations: The area is not easy to
access; therefore, it probably doesn,t receive much human visitation. It should
be easy to protect by simply being left alone, if the landowners are willing.
As far as is known, the owner of the western half of the natural area (Adams)
should likely be amenable to protecting this tract, possibly registering ,fit as
a natural area. He owns over 1500 acres in this vicinity and is said to be
approachable and probably amenable to protection considerations.
Ownership: Richard W. Adams, 770 Hartness Rd., Statesville, NC 28677 (western
half). Clyde F. and Patricia Haire, 17480 Dooley Rd., Cleveland, NC 27013
(704/278-2745) (eastern half).
28
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Site name: -Second Creek wetlands site number: 13
Significance: Regional Integrity: very Good Threat status: Slight
Location: Approximately one mile east of second Creek bridge at us 601, on north
side.
USGS ouad: Cooleemee 1969, Churchland 1987
Approximate acreage: 135 acres
Reasons for significance: This area contains good examples of some natural
communities that are uncommon in the Central Piedmont. The best example of
relatively undisturbed Piedmont Alluvial Forest in Rowan county probably occurs
here. The stature of this forest alone makes the area worth preserving. Most
trees are larger than 12" dbh, with oaks and many other species generally from
16-24" (few to 36"). A „Seasonally Wet Floodplain Depression" community (so
named here) includes some variants that may be unique following further study.
Rare species present in the area include Quercus palustris (w7,-; S1?,G5),
Magnolia virginiana (W6) and sium suave (W6). The potential for other rare
floodplain species is good. The relative absence of exotic species also makes
this a good natural area. The area provides important waterfowl habitat in the
region.
General description: This is a wide floodplain near the mouth of a major
tributary (second Creek) of the South Yadkin River. The system includes a
heterogeneous mosaic of low terraces, depressions, sloughs, hummocks, minor
levees, and drainage channels. The vegetation is mostly alluvial types, but it
was all logged at one time (probably 1920x). Many areas outside the natural area
have been planted in pines.
The Piedmont Alluvial Forest community is mature second-growth in very nice
condition. The canopy is dominated by mixed alluvial hardwoods, including Acer
negundo, Betula nigra, Fraainus tomentosa, celtis laevigata, Quercus phellos, Q.
shumard +, Q. lyrata, Q. palustris, Populus deltoides, and Platanus occidentalis.
The subcanopy and shrub layers are sparse; woody vines are common; and the herb
layer is diverse. Along the river, a small area of Piedmont Levee Forest
includes old second-growth Fagus grandifolia, carya cordiformis, Tilia
heterophylla (20", 30"), carya ovata, Quercus michauxii, Acer rubrum, celtis
laevigata, and Liquidambar styraciflua. The creek levee has a different canopy
composition. Both levees have dense shrub layers, and herbs are lush in most
places. There are many examples of seasonally Wet Floodplain Depression
communities of various sizes in depressions, sloughs and backswamp areas. one
large depression several acres in size probably represents a later successional
stage of a Floodplain Pool community. In late July of 1977, this depression was
covered by an extremely lush carpet of Bragrostis hypnoides (possibly a unique
community type). other variations range from those essentially barren of
vegetation, through various herb, shrub, and forested types, all depending
(apparently) on the length of the hydroperiod. The larger depressions are
drained by outlets, and, by late summer, even they have no standing water
remaining in the centers. The forested depressions are usually dominated by
either mxlnus pennsylvanica, Quercus lyrata, or Salix nigra. Saururus cernuus
usually covers these forested depressions, and Peltandra virginica may be common.
Herb and shrub depressions are variously dominated by Cephalanthus occidentalis,
A1nus serrulata, Polygonum spp., Hibiscus spp., and an assortment of graminoids,
depending on the specific site and season.
Comments: This system is almost of the scale that one could separate Levee,
Swamp and Bottomland Forest.
Protection status and management recommendations: This area should have a high
priority for protection. The natural area is a lesser part of a larger tract
here owned by Alcoa, and so far it has escaped recent logging and timber
management practices, probably because of the low nature of the terrain. Most
of the remainder of the Alcoa land here has been converted to managed pine
forest. Alcoa would likely be amenable to conservation of this tract for the
public interest. Alcoa owns many other tracts in the Yadkin River corridor that
30
should be protected. Negotiations should be pursued to protect all these lands
under an umbrella conservation agreement. The entire Second creek tract is
currently included in the NC wildlife Resources commissions gamelands program.
ownership: Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa), Badin works, Po Box 576, Badin,
NC 28009. Land is managed by Yadkin, Inc. at the same address, (Julia Larson,
Resource Management Administrator (704/422-5679).
31
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03 -6 - _p L
Site name: Pickler Bluff and Bottom site number: 17, 18
Significance: County-Local Integrity: Good Threat status: Slight
Location: Approximately six miles north of Salisbury, east of old Mocksville
Road (CR 1910), off CR 2035.
USGS Quad: Churchland 1987
Approximate acreage: 18 acres (or more)
Reasons for significance: Though small in size, this area represents a nice
combination of representative terrestrial and palustrine communities of fair to
good quality, with good integrity, in a situation that appears to lend itself to
protection.
General description: The area includes (1) a steep northeast-facing slope of a
broad ridge that fronts on the south Yadkin River, (2) some gentler slopes around
the steep slope, and (3) some floodplains. The area is rather isolated from old
farms and rural subdivision development. A good quality Mesic Mixed Hardwood
Forest community is the central feature of the natural area, covering about nine
acres. Many trees in this second-growth forest are around 20" dbh; some are
larger. Pagus grandifolia is the dominant; other important trees are
Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus rubra, Q. albs, and.oxydendrum arboreum. Common
shrubs include Calycanthus floridus, Hamamelis yirginiana and Hydrangea
arborescens. Common herbs include Adiantum pedatum, Smilacina racemosa and
Polystichum acrostichoides. A Piedmont Alluvial Forest community is dominated
mostly by young, even-aged typical bottomland and swamp trees, but including some
large Quercus phellos and Liquidambar styraciflua. other species that occur
there are Cornus stricta, Itea virginica, Onoclea sensibills, Amphicarpa
bracteata, and Amsonia tabernaemontana. There are small, nice, emergent herb
beds rimmed with Salsa n1gra. The community is rather open, clean and
attractive. A Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest occupies the gentler slopes and
provides a good buffer for the steep slope. This is maturing second-growth.
Many of the tree species of the steep slope are here, but carya app. and Pfnus
echinata are also important.
Comments: The Piedmont Alluvial Forest community and the Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory
Forest community would not be recognized as especially significant by themselves.
They are included in the natural area because they are in good condition and
complement the Mesic Mixed Hardwood community.
Protection status and management recommendations: This area is recommended for
inclusion in the natural area registry. The owners are thought to be inclined
to protect this land. They own over 200 acres here, and they have allowed the
steep slope to remain in a natural state thus far. Limitations on intrusive
human recreational use would improve the site quality.
ownership: Milton and Louise Crowther, 979 Hannah's Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC
28144 (704/636-0161).
33
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03 - 0 4-04
Site name: Honeycutt Road Woods Site number: 20b
significance: County Integrity: Good Threat status: Slight
Location: About three miles northwest of spencer and north of Salisbury. off
Honeycutt Road (CR 1922), north of Ellis Cross Road (CR 1915).
USGS Ouad: Salisbury 1987
Approximate acreage: 180 acres
Reasons for significance: This area has many good examples of "bluff"
communities that are similar to Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest and Piedmont Acidic
Cliff communities. It is an excellent place to see many variations of this
community type. Other communities are represented here, including fair to good
examples of Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest. Large examples of protected, good
quality Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest are uncommon. At least one small stream
is of high quality. Extra significance may be accorded this area because of its
natural state near developing/urbanizing centers.
General description: This is a highly and irregularly dissected upland ridge
system. There are many small coves and ravines, and several intermittent
streams. several prominent steep slopes/bluffs face north and northeast above
a well-developed floodplain of the Yadkin River. Rock outcroppings are common.
Granitic rock underlays the area. Elevation ranges from 624 to 7401. The
vegetation is generally mature second-growth submesic/mesic forest, but many
community types are found within this large area: Dry Oak--Hickory Forest, Dry-
Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest, Mesic mixed Hardwood Forest/Piedmont Acidic Cliff, Low
Elevation Seep, and Piedmont Alluvial Forest. Average dbh of canopy trees is
around 18", and maximum dbh is about 360.
The predominant community type is Dry-Mesic Oak--Hickory Forest. It
occupies about 658 of the area on most of the ridges and slopes, except for the
steeper bluffs that face mostly on the river. Canopy dominants are Quercus alba
and Q. rubra, with Pinus echinata, Carya spp., Liriodendron tulipifera, and Nyssa
sylvatica common. The bluff community, covering about 108 of the area, was
difficult to name. These bluffs have closed canopies, rather than being open
communities. They are referred to here by a combination name - Mesic Mixed
Hardwood Forest/Piedmont Acidic Cliff. There are several variants of this
community type, some of which appear to be influenced by basic conditions and/or
diverse moisture conditions. The canopy is variously dominated by Quercus rubra
and Tagus grandifolia. However, other trees, including Halesia carolina, Tilia
heterophylla and Quercus alba are locally important. on the best sites, trees
are 20-30" dbh, with occasional trees reaching 36" dbh. Understory trees include
transgressives plus Amelanchier sp., carpinus caroliniana and !lagnolla tripetala.
Salmia latifolia is clearly the predominant shrub on most sites. Other shrubs
include Hydrangea arborescens, styraa grandifolia, Hamamelis virginiana, Corylus
cornuta, Viburnum acerifolium, Vaccinium vacillans, and Kanthorhiza
simplicissima. Herb diversity is high. Common herbs include Polystichum
acrostichoides, smilacina racemosa, collimonia canadensls, Aster cordifolius,
and Silene stellata. other herbs present include Adiantum pedatum, Thelypteris
noveboracensis, T. hexagonoptera, Athyrium asplenioides, osmunda cinnamomea,
sanguinarla canadena s, Heuchera sp., riarella cordifolia, Antennaria sp., Cares
spp., Iris cristata, and ripularia discolor. The variants of this community
range from moister to drier, from lower to higher diversity, from young to old
age, from steep and rocky to less steep without outcrops, and from about one-half
acre to possibly six acres in size. small areas of Dry Oak--Hickory Forest occur
on the ridge crests and knobbier places. small areas in upper ravine flats and
in lower slope positions have a Low Elevation Seep community. There is no
peatmoss (Sphagnum sp.). Herbaceous taxa include Penthorum sedoidea, Himulus
alatus, Saururus cernuus, Impatiens sp., Boehmeria cylindrica, Peltandra
virginica, Pilea pumila, Anellema keisak, and Cicuta maculata. A Piedmont
Alluvial Forest community covers about 208 of the area. The vegetation
composition is typical. stands are of various ages. overall, this community is
considered average quality.
35
Co=ents: This is an isolated area, difficult to access because it is surrounded
by rural /residential development, new subdivisions, and the Yadkin River. It is
an isolated Alcoa property, much of which appears to have remained uncut for many
years. Old logging roads are evident throughout, however. Many of the specific
community examples, each taken by itself, would be marginal natural areas. But,
taken together as a complex, and because the overall area is so large, they
become significant.
Protection status and management recommendations: This is a large tract of
natural land in a developing and urbanizing section, thus giving it some extra
value. Because it is an isolated outholding of Alcoa in the above setting, it
may be that Alcoa has a difficult time managing the tract and would agree to set
it aside as a conservation area, excluding it from any forest management plans.
Alcoa owns many tracts in the Yadkin River corridor that should be protected.
Negotiations should be pursued to protect all these lands under an umbrella
conservation agreement.
ownership: Aluminum company of America (Alcoa), Badin Works, PO Box 576, Badin,
NC 28009. Land is managed by Yadkin, Inc. at the same address (Julia Larson,
Resource Management Administrator, 704/422-5679).
36