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How to Recognize It
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The Limestone Oak - Hickory Forest is uncommon at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park because limestone occurs only in the southwest corner of the park. The plants in this natural community rely on the fertile soil (very high in calcium and magnesium) that weathers from limestone bedrock. You’ll find species here that are not common in other areas of the park, such as chinquapin oak and bitternut hickory.
Can you find this combination of key features?
Identifying This Natural Community
- Chinquapin oak (rarely found elsewhere in the park)
- A diverse collection of trees including oaks, bitternut hickory, and black walnut
- Northern spicebush and blackhaw shrubs
- A lush layer of greenery near the ground, including nutrient-demanding plants such as wingstem, eastern bottlebrush grass, white snakeroot, and clustered black-snakeroot
- Location: in the limestone-rich southwest corner of the park, in an area high enough to avoid floods
If so, welcome to the Limestone Oak - Hickory Forest at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
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