are saturated for most of the year due to a high water 

 table (SCS 1981) . The gum stands are most extensive in 

 the central portion of the site (see map) where organic 

 soils of moderate depths are prevalent. 



Scattered throughout much of the natural area are 

 dense stands of even-aged Atlantic white cedar (CT 2) . 

 These stands vary in height and average dbh depending 

 on their age and cutting history. Stands sampled during 

 this survey ranged from 20-30 feet in height and 3 inches 

 average dbh up to 40-50 feet tall and 10 inches dbh. The 

 white cedar stands are characterized by a very high stem 

 density, exclusion of most other swamp forest trees and 

 shrubs, and a uniform height and size. Fire, or more 

 likely, previous clearcutting account for the even-aged 

 and dense character of these stands. 



Other species present in the white cedar stands but 

 usually of scattered occurrence include red maple and 

 redbay. Mats of sphagnum moss are often common ground 

 cover . 



The physiognomy of Atlantic white cedar is highly 

 variable in the natural area. The species occurs as 

 scattered individuals in the previously described gum- 

 dominated communities (CT 1) and also in the pond pine 

 stands (CT 3) . The dense stands of Atlantic white cedar 

 (CT 2) vary from less than one acre to about 220 acres 

 in size. The dense stands (CT 2) occupy about 350 total 

 acres, or about 5.4% of the natural area. 



The 220-acre stand is significant enough to describe 

 in more detail. This stand is located near the northern 

 point of the peninsula (Laurel Point) and has a distinctive 

 linear, east-west alignment, about 1.5 miles long by 0.25 

 mile wide. Site surveys and inspection of aerial photo- 

 graphs suggest that this stand occurs on shallow peat 

 overlying a partially buried sand ridge. Its alignment 

 is similar to exposed sand ridges to the south. Buell 

 and Cain (1943) describe the general habitat of this 

 species as "peat bog underlain by sand." They mention 

 that hardwood or cypress swamps are more likely to de- 

 velop where the underlying mineral layers are composed 

 mainly of silts and clays. White cedar is also known 

 to require open, sunny conditions for germination (op. 

 cit.). The clearing agent was originally fire, although 

 present timber clear cutting practices often create ideal 

 conditions for the germination and establishment of cedar 

 stands. As mentioned earlier in this discussion, logging 

 activities have been prevalent in Bull's Neck at intervals 



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