THE FOKEST DIVIDED INTO TYPES. 13 



are dead, others are dying-, and all are unsound. The Chestnut here 

 reproduces by coppice and not from the nut. Chestnut Oak, which 

 ranks next in abundance to Chestnut, although usually reproducing 

 by sprouts, occasionally grows from the acorn. Most of the Yellow 

 Oak on the ridges consists of undergrowth, although a few large trees, 

 always unsound, are scattered through the forest. Scarlet Oak, which 

 is short, branch}', and unsound, grows only in occasional groups. 



HICKORY SLOPE. 



The Hickory Slope type is found just below the ridges. The soil 

 here is richer and deeper and contains more moisture than on the 

 ridges. It supports, in consequence, a denser and better tree growth. 

 The quality of Hickory Slope varies with the aspect and the degree of 

 the slope. Northeast slope forests are superior to those that face 

 southwest, and a gentle slope grows a better forest than a steep one. 



The predominating species is Scarlet Oak, represented by trees of 

 all sizes and ages. Of the associated species White Oak is most 

 numerous, and through its tolerance crowds out Scarlet Oak on the 

 lower slopes and on the benches. Much Pignut grows on the slopes; 

 in the lumbered southwest area of the plateau this tree forms the 

 greater part of the growth. Black Gum and Chestnut Oak are scat- 

 tered sparingly throughout the forest. Post Oak occurs in little 

 groups of four or five trees. Sassafras and Dogwood are found where 

 the growth is densest. A few Tulip-trees — the best of those left on 

 the plateau — grow near the bottom of the slopes in moist soil. Sumach 

 grows on the steep slopes, and Locust and Mountain Laurel at the edge 

 of the plateau near watered ravines. 



OAK FLAT. 



The broad, leyel tops of some of the ridges, the wide benches on a 

 few of the longest slopes, and the extensive bottoms of some of the 

 swales are classed as Oak Flats. The soil of these flats is of good 

 depth, especially if they receive the wash from the slopes; it is moist 

 because, being practically level, the water does not drain off rapidly. 

 Almost all the large White Oaks on the plateau occur on the flats; the 

 smaller growth is made up of White Oak with a good proportion of 

 Scarlet Oak. A few large Yellow Oaks grow on the level ground, 

 and sprouts of this species form a large part of the underbrush. Pig- 

 nuts of fair size occur singly. Post Oak occurs here and there. 



BOTTOM. 



The soil of the lowland which lies at the foot of the slopes is always 

 the deepest and most moist on the plateau. Where the slope is insuf- 

 ficient for drainage, swamps are formed. Swampy bottoms contain 

 thickets of Red Maple, Black Gum, and Sweet Gum. Bottoms through 



