The second swamp forest community type (CT 2) in the 

 natural area is Pinus taeda-Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora/ 

 Acer rubrum/Persea borbonia (loblolly pine-swamp blackgum/ 

 red maple/redbay) . This community is characterized by a 

 canopy height of between 65-85 feet, an average canopy 

 tree dbh of 12-14 inches, and an age estimated to be between 

 50-75 years old. It is similar in many respects to CT 1, 

 discussed in the preceding paragraphs. Common trees in the 

 canopy (but not dominant) include Atlantic white cedar, sweet- 

 bay, cypress, and tulip poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera ) . 

 Common subcanopy and shrub layer species include the above 

 trees in transgressive age classes plus sweet pepperbush 

 and fetterbush ( Lyonia lucida ) . As in CT 1 , vines are 

 abundant and include poison ivy, yellow jessamine, and 

 laurel-leaved greenbriar. 



Topographically and pedologically, this community appears 

 to occupy the same areas as CT 1. The major difference between 

 these communities, i.e., the dominance of loblolly pine in the 

 canopy, is probably partly attributable to timber operations 

 in the recent past. The smaller trunk diameters, partly open 

 canopy cover, and greater variability of canopy and subcanopy 

 heights indicate a wider range of age classes and a higher 

 proportion of younger trees when compared with the vegetation 

 structure of CT 1. This is particularly evident in certain 

 section of the swamp where more recently cut stumps are pre- 

 sent. However, some portions of the natural area, particularly 

 in the corner north of SR 1101, contain many large, flattop 

 old-growth pines and appear to be relatively undisturbed. 

 This may be explained by a greater abundance of sandy mineral 

 horizons close to the surface, a situation which is more 

 favorable for loblolly pine germination and growth. Ashe 

 (1915, p. 10) states that loblolly pine in the original 

 forests of the coastal plain occurred among other places, 

 in "... shallow interior swamps with loamy soils among 

 maple, water oaks, and gums ... and in deep swamps in which 

 it was not common and where it occurred with cypress, water 

 gum, and water ash." 



The third community type (CT 3) represented in the 

 natural area is Pinus serotina/ mixed pocosin shrubs// Smilax 

 laurifolia (pond pine/mixed pocosin shrubs//laurel-leaved 

 greenbriar) . This community is characterized by an open 

 canopy of scattered pond pines 60-90 feet tall over a very 

 dense tall shrub layer composes of a number of typical 

 pocosin shrubs and small trees such as loblolly bay (Gordonia 

 lasianthus ) , sweetbay, redbay, fetterbush, sweet gallberry 

 ( Ilex coriacea ) , and red maple. The shrub layer is inter- 

 twined by dense tangles of laurel-leaved greenbriar. Several 

 very large specimens of loblolly bay were seen during the 

 course of the field work. One clump of trees was about 

 70 feet tall with one specimen measuring 27 inches in 

 diameter. 



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