collected in 1941, is noted as having only small 

 saplings and is interpreted as probably planted. 



4. UNVERIFIED/UNDOCUMENTED REPORTS: None. 



HABITAT: In the center of its range, Ouercus 

 inacrocarpa occupies moist bottomlands, rich woods and 

 fertile slopes (Gleason and Cronquist 1991, Fernald 

 1970) . At the western extension of its range, it is 

 among the most stress-tolerant deciduous tree species, 

 growing in sand dunes, dry foothills of the Black 

 Hills, escarpments, and shale outcrops. 



Unless otherwise stated, the following habitat 

 characterizations will refer to the Alzada Oak stand. 



1. ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: Ouercus macrocarpa occurs as 

 codominant in a woodland community with Pinus 

 ponderosa and Juniperus scopulorum . grading into a 

 localized savanna condition where it is the only 

 tree species. Other associated species include: 



Agropyron smithii 

 Carex heliophila 

 Festuca octoflora 

 Plantago aristata 

 Poa arida 



Polygonum douglasii 

 Stipa comata 



The communities have little or no shrub layer 

 except in areas dominated by Pinus ponderosa . and 

 the woodland herbaceous community is not well- 

 represented either. 



The flora is relatively depauperate, whether due to 

 the harsh setting or the history of grazing. A 

 general species list for the Alzada Oaks stand is 

 presented in Appendix 2 . 



2. TOPOGRAPHY: At the Montana site, Ouercus 

 macrocarpa is most common on upland settings of 

 ridgetops, upper ridge slopes and rolling uplands. 

 It is present intermittently on exposed south- 

 facing slopes and on toe slopes. 



3. SOILS RELATIONSHIPS: At the western margins of its 

 range, Ouercus macrocarpa occupies the most dry and 

 often the most infertile of habitats occupied by 

 deciduous tree species. Bedrock at the study site 

 area is Mowry Shale, of silicified shale and 

 claystone with thick beds of bentonite. The study 



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