Community Description

Figure 1

Table Mountain pine stands occur from central Pennsylvania to northeast Georgia These stands are generally small, < 20 ha, and found on ridges with thin, dry soils with southern and western aspects at elevations ranging from 300 to 1200 m (Zobel 1969). Geographic and site requirements restrict Table Mountain pine stands primarily to public lands where prescribed burning for ecosystem restoration can be practiced (Welch et al. 2000). Williams (1998) stated that Table Mountain pine stands are in decline as a result of fire suppression and inadequate understanding of the species= regeneration biology.

Throughout the region, stands in which Table Mountain pine occur are entering later seral stages where pines are beginning to be dominated by oaks (particularly chestnut oak, Quercus prinus) and hickories (Carya spp.). As a result of changing species dominance and stand structure, the Southern Appalachian Assessment recognizes Table Mountain pine woodlands as one of 31 rare communities (SAMAB 1996). The most common pine associated with these stands is pitch pine (P. rigida.) but shortleaf pine (P. echinata.) and Eastern white pine (P. strobus) can be present. The shrub layer is predominately mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), while galax (Galax spp.), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), and huckleberries (Gaylusacia spp.) are common in the herb layer (Zobel 1969, Williams 1998, Newell and Peet 1998, Turrill et al., 1997).

Figure 2

No threatened or endangered plants are strictly associated with Table Mountain pine stands. However, smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata), a federally-listed perennial herb, has been found to coexist with Table Mountain pine in South Carolina (Emanuel and Waldrop 1995). Rare plants restricted to xeric pine and pine/oak forests include round-leaved service berry (Amelanchier sanquinea), branched whitlow grass (Draba ramosissima) and witch-alder (Fothergilla major) (Hessl and Spakman 1996). Hessl and Spakman (1996) suggest that Heller’s blazing star (Liatris helleri), Peter’s Mountain mallow (Iliamna corei), white irisette (Sisyrinchium dichotomum), and running buffalo clover (Trifolium reflexum) depend upon xeric montane woods.

Table Mountain pine has numerous adaptations that allow it to survive a fire or to regenerate after a fire. The species is shade intolerant and has serotinous cones, which suggests that fire may be needed to regenerate this species. Microsite conditions needed for seedling establishment are similar to those created by fire. Adaptations include: serotinous cones, black-colored seed, prolific cone production, thick flaky bark, self pruning of lower limbs, and cone production at an early age. Cones persist in the crown with viable seed for 5 to 10 years.