The Present Distribution of Chestnut in the Upland Forest Communities of Virginia

Abstract

STEPHENSON, S. L., H. S. ADAMS AND M. L. LIPFORD (Department of Biology, Fairmont State College, Fairmont, WV 26554, Division of Arts and Sciences, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, and Division of Natural Heritage, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Richmond, VA 23219). The present distribution of chestnut in the upland forest communities of Virginia. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 118: 24-32. 1991.-The present distribution of American chestnut (Castanea dentata [Marsh.] Borkh.) as a component of upland forest communities in the mid-Appalachians was investigated in three different areas of western Virginia. Two of these (Alleghany County and the Mountain Lake area of Giles County) are within the Ridge and Valley physiographic province and the third (Shenandoah National Park) is in the Blue Ridge province. Quantitative data on composition and structure of the vegetation and various topographic variables were analyzed using correlation analysis and DCA ordination. The results of these analyses indicate that the present distribution of chestnut is strongly correlated with elevation and site moisture conditions. In general, chestnut was much less abundant (only 192 stems/ha) in Alleghany County (mean elevation of 39 stands = 645 m) than in either Shenandoah National Park (532 stems/ha) or Giles County (770 stems/ha), where sampled stands occur at mean elevations of 882 m (20 stands) and 1079 m (43 stands), respectively. Maximum density of chestnut (>2500 stems/ha for some stands) occurred on subxeric sites, particularly midto upper slope positions on southern exposures. In all three areas, chestnut was conspicuously absent from most mesic sites.