1922] Forest Types 187 



forest types but seldom sufficiently abundant in any locality to form 

 a distinctive feature in a type (Sassafras, Magnolia acuminata). 

 iA certain species or several species within the facies of the accom- 

 panying vegetation may be so indicative of the type as to be index 

 species. These may be of particular importance in the under shrubs 

 and herbaceous concomitants and have significant value in indicating 

 the character of the superior association after it has been destroyed 

 (Appendix 10). A knowledge of the shrubby and herbaceous index 

 species, especially such as are not affected by the removal of the 

 superior stand (sun species), is economically of paramount impor- 

 tance as a guide in the determination of the quality site in cases 

 where the superior stand has been cut, especially in the case of 

 pure stands. The vert in the Appalachian forests usually may be 

 separated into (1) the superior stand overwood or sun stand of 

 designated species, a portion of the trees in which may be dominant, 

 a portion intermediate and codominant, and a portion suppressed 

 (Appendix 11) ; (2) beneath the superior stand there may be an 

 inferior stand or underwood of trees or shrubs tolerant of shade 

 (such as dogwood, witchhazel, sourwood, laurel, or Kalmia), and 

 below this a ground cover or mat of small shrubs (Vaccinium 

 Leucothoe, Xolisma) as well as an herbaceous flora, each a more or 

 less distinctive and varying concomitant of the forest type. 



Some of the important features of the forest associations of the 

 Appalachians have been considered in connection with its general 

 phytogeography. Kearney, in an excellent article, discusses some 

 of the forest tj'pes as developed at the extreme southern end of the 

 region. Harshberger considered the central portion of the region in 

 two articles published in 1903 (Appendix 12), and later, 1911 

 (Appendix 13), covered the subject in a broader manner; while 

 Schimper (Appendix 14) also discussed the forests of this region in 

 their local distribution. The forest types in which chestnut occurs 

 have been briefly considered in "Chestnut in Tennessee," and there 

 are a number of other references in forest literature of the Appa- 

 lachians to the forest types of the region. 



TABULATIONS OP FOREST TYPES 



In the tabulations below the following common names are em- 

 ployed (see Journal of Forestry 14: 233. 1916) : 



