Forest Cover
Photo-Interpretation Key for the
Mountain Forest Habitat 
Region in Alabama
Forestry Departmental 
Series No. 7
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
R. DENNIS ROUSE, Director
October 1975
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
AUBURN, ALABAMA
CONTENTS
Page
Introduction.................................................... 3
Description of the Region...........................................4
Ecological Foundation of the Key...........................:......... 10
Development of the Key........................................... 10
Description of the Key............................................ 11
Forest Cover Types............................................... 11
Description of the Variables......................................... 18
Zones...................................................... 18
Topographic Positions on Hills..................................... 20
Aspect........ .............................................. 20
Bottomland Sites.............................................. 20
Photographic Tone............................................. 24
Texture....................................................25
Plantations..................................................29
Testing the Key,. .. ... . ... .. .... ... .......... . . . . .. 3 0
Objectives of the Testing Program. . o... .. . . .. .. .. ..... ... .. 30
Test Program Rationale.......................................... 30
Test Results.................................................. 31
Literature Cited................................................. 34
Appendix I....................................................34
Appendix II....................................................41
Appendix III................................................... 46
Appendix IV................................................... 46
First Printing, 3M, October 1975
Auburn University is an equal opportunity employer
Forest Cover Photo-Interpretation Key
for the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region 
in Alabama
EVERT W. JOHNSON and LARRY R. SELLMAN
1
INTRODUCTION
RELATIVELY FEW forest cover type photo-interpretation
keys have been developed for civilian use anywhere 
and, as far
as can be determined from an extensive search of the
literature, only two (Parker and Johnson, 1969; and
Northrop and Johnson, 1970) have been developed for
conditions in Alabama. Furthermore, these two keys are
applicable only to very small areas and both require special
photography. In order to fill this gap and make aerial
photographs more generally valuable to forest land managers,
the Department of Forestry in Auburn University's Agri-
cultural Experiment Station has embarked on a program
to construct a key for each of a set of forest habitat regions
into which the State will be divided. This is the second of
these keys. The first was developed for the Piedmont Forest
Habitat Region (Johnson and Sellman, 1974).
2
The keys represent a departure from current practice in
that they are designed for use by humans, not automatic data
processing devices, and that they are based primarily on
ecological relationships rather than spectral signatures. This
general design was chosen deliberately because it was felt that
the keys should be of use to all land managers in the regions
covered, not only to those with access to special aerial
photography and to the complex and expensive equipment
needed when reflectance patterns are used as the basis for
interpretations. In addition, the keys are designed in such a
manner that they can be used with either prints or
transparencies and with photography taken under a wide
range of film-filter-season-scale combinations. They should
therefore be of value to most land managers in the areas
covered.
Initially the objective was to prepare keys so that U.S.
Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service (USDA-ASCS) photographs could be
used to stratify forest cover into meaningful cover types. The
USDA-ASCS aerial photographic program began operating in
the early nineteen-thirties with the advent of federal crop
control programs. Until recently these photographs have
been made using panchromatic film in cameras equipped
1
Professor of Forestry and Research Associate, respectively.
2It is intended that the publication containing the key for any given
forest habitat region be an independent unit incorporating all the
information needed for the use of the key for that region. However,
much of the written material will be essentially common to several,
if not all, of the regions. It would be very difficult to rephrase this
material in enough different ways so that the wording would be
different from region to region. As a consequence, no attempt will
be made to rephrase these common sections nor will they be set off
with quotation marks.
with an 8.25-inch focal length lens and a Wratten No. 12
(minus-blue) filter. The photographic scale has been
1:20,000 at approximately mean ground elevation and the
format size, except for the very earliest photographs, has
been 9 x 9 inches. Recently the photographic specifications
have been changed, for reasons of economy, so that the
scale is 1:40,000 and the focal length of the camera lens is
6 inches. This key has been developed using the 1:20,000
photographs. However, the design of the key is such that it
can be used with little or no modification with photographs
taken at other scales. The scales probably should be no
larger than 1:10,000 because an insufficient area of ground
surface would be visible on a single stereopair to permit an
accurate evaluation of the topographic positions of the
stands in question. This problem would be aggravated 
if
small format sizes (e.g., 70 mm photography) were used. It
is possible that the keys could be used with photographs
with scales as small as 1:100,000 if the base-height ratio
was such that a good stereo-image of the ground surface
could be obtained. With such small scales the major
problems probably would be associated with the branch-
bottom conditions where the evaluation is 
based on
apparent stream width.
The key probably could be used, with 
little or no
modification, with black and white infrared photography,
either conventional (exposed through a deep red filter, 
such
as the Wratten 89B) or modified (exposed through a 
deep
yellow filter, such as the Wratten No. 12 "minus-blue"
filter). With some modification they probably could also be
used with normal color or color infrared photography.
It is well that the keys have been designed in this way
because it means that they can be used by organizations
electing to obtain their own photography. It is probable
that there will be an increase in the use of such
photography since the USDA-ASCS has changed the scale
of its photographs, which has the effect of reducing costs to
the agency but increasing costs and inconvenience to its
customers. Another factor operating to reduce utilization
of USDA-ASCS photography by the forest industry is the
lack of customer control of photographic contrast and
season of photography.
The keys have been designed to indicate the probable
species composition of the stands being examined. It
provides no information on the condition of the stands
(i.e., the sizes of the trees making up the stands or their
density). Stand conditions can be evaluated using a number
of procedures which have been described elsewhere (Avery,
[3]
1966 and 1968; Moessner, 1960; Spurr, 1960; Wilson et al,
1960). It must be kept in mind that aerial photographs
record the situation as of a given point in time. The longer
the time between film exposure and photo-interpretation,
the greater is the probability of errors in photo-interpreta-
tion. Forests are dynamic and change with time. Natural
events such as plant succession, insect or disease attacks, or
wind storms may change the species composition in a given
area after the photographs are taken. Man-caused changes,
such as logging, clearing, planting, burning, may be even
more extensive and profound. For example, the practice of
introducing species into areas in which they are not native
or planting species off their normal sites will completely
invalidate a photo-interpretation key based on normal
species occurrence-site relationships. For these reasons, one
must not expect these keys to yield accurate results when
the photographs are old or when land use has tended to
destroy the usual species occurrence-site relationships.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REGION
The location of the Mountain Forest Habitat Region is
shown in generalized form in Figure 1 and in detail on the
county maps in Appendix IV. The Region is synonymous
with the Mountain Forest Habitat Region defined by
Hodgkins (1965). From a geological point of view the use
of the term "Mountain" is questionable, since the general
view among geologists appears to be that the Blue Ridge
does not extend into Alabama. However, there are
geologists that hold the opposing view. Indeed, the area
included in the Mountain Forest Habitat Region is one
whose geology is still being resolved and, consequently,
many interpretations of the geologic structure can be
found. The resolution of these geologic problems is beyond
the scope of this study. For convenience, the maps and
terminology of Adams et al (1926) and Johnston (1930)
have been accepted and the regional bounds will be
described within this context. The Mountain Forest Habitat
Region has been formed from the Talladega Slate portion
of the Piedmont physiographic province and the Weisner
quartzite portions of the Ridge and Valley physiographic
province. Together, these components include the portions
of the State with the greatest relief. The vegetative
distribution patterns within this Region are sufficiently
different from either the Piedmont or the Ridge and Valley
provinces to justify the recognition of the Region as a
distinct entity.
The Mountain Forest Habitat Region has been defined in
terms of two geological formations, the Talladega slate and
Weisner quartzite. However, as can be seen in Figure 1,
other formations exist as narrow strips or patches within
the boundaries of the Region. Because of their limited
extent and apparently negligible effect on the vegetation
distribution pattern, all of these included formations will be
ignored in the following discussion.
The Talladega slate area is characterized by metamorphic
rocks that have been intensely deformed and stressed.
Included in the formation are slates, shales, schists,
phyllites, and conglomerates. In some places sandstones,
quartzites, limestones, or dolomites may be found. The
topography is varied but is rough almost everywhere
(figures 2, 3, and 4).
The relief varies from less than 200 feet in some areas to
well over 1,000 feet in others. The ridges generally tend to
run in a northeast-southwest direction but may assume
other orientations in some places. The main ridge lies near
the eastern boundary of the formation and forms the
Rebecca-Talladega-Horseblock Mountain massif. The high-
est point along this ridge occurs at Cheaha Mountain, a part
of Talladega Mountain, where the altitude is 2,407 feet.
This is the highest point in Alabama. The crest of this
massif has a sandstone cap (Figure 3) which probably
explains its resistance to weathering. Over much of the
Talladega slate area the stream pattern is controlled by
ridges of resistant material; but in some places, notably in
southern Cleburne County, the stream pattern is dendritic
(Figure 4). The Rebecca-Talladega-Horseblock Mountain
ridge forms the watershed divide between the Coosa River
on the west and the Tallapoosa River on the east. Within the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region stream gradients are
relatively steep, and poorly drained or swampy areas are
rare except where natural flowage has been slowed by
beaver dams or man-made structures such as road
embankments.
The Weisner quartzite manifests itself in the form of
monoclinal ridges with steep western faces and somewhat
less steep eastern faces (Figure 5). These ridges lie to the
west of the Talladega slate, except for Kehatchee Mountain
and a couple of associated ridges which intrude through the
Talladega slate near Childersburg. They have a general
southwest-northeast trend but are more broken and less
continuous than the ridges of the Talladega slate. Usually,
the Weisner quartzite ridges occur as islands more or less
completely surrounded by the limestones, dolomites, and
shales of the Coosa River valley, which is in the Ridge and
Valley Forest Habitat Region. The cores of the ridges are
strata of highly erosion resistant quartzite which often
surface in the form of naked outcrops and cliffs (Figure 5).
Interbedded with the quartzite are sandstones and, in some
cases, limestones and dolomites. Some of these Weisner
quartzite ridges are almost as high as the highest parts of
the Talladega slate. The elevation of Duggar Mountain is
2,130 feet, while that of Indian Mountain is more than
1,900 feet. The slopes are steep and the soils are rocky. In
general, the sites on the Weisner quartzite ridges are
considerably poorer than comparable sites in the Talladega
slate area.
As was previously mentioned, the Weisner quartzite
ridges occur as islands rising above the limestones,
dolomites, and shales of the Coosa River Valley (Figure 6).
This means that flat valley floors occurring in and around
the Weisner quartzite ridge areas should not be considered
to be part of the Mountain Forest Habitat Region. They
belong to the Ridge and Valley Forest Habitat Region and
their forest cover should not be interpreted using the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region key. The detailed county
maps in Appendix IV show the extent of most of these
valleys. It should be noted that some streams, such as
Terrapin Creek in Cleburne County, originate in and run for
considerable distances through Weisner quartzite areas
before entering the Ridge and Valley Forest Habitat
Region. The county maps show the breaking points with
reasonable accuracy.
14J
TALLAPOOSA
RANDOLPH
CHAMBERS
c-:: Wiesner Quartzite
EZZI Talladega Slate
....... A Cheaho 
Sandstone
- Erin Shale
-.. C Jumbo 
Dolomite
---- D Sawyer 
Limestone
FIGURE 1. Map of the Mountain Forest Habitat Region in Alabama showing the major geologic formations. (From: Adams at al, 1926)
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ECOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF THE KEY
All persons concerned with plant ecology are aware of
the correlations that exist between species occurrence and
site characteristics. The site characteristics that can be used
in a photo-interpretation key for forest cover types are
essentially topographic in nature. Topography is important
because it affects the plant moisture regime. On the
photographs, upland sites can be distinguished from
bottomland sites without much difficulty. In the uplands,
the moisture regime is affected by position on the slope,
degree of slope, and aspect, all of which can be evaluated
on the photographs. Bottomlands can be classified by
position within the drainage system and size of the
associated stream and its attendant floodplain. Again, all
these can be evaluated on the photographs.
Certain geologic factors also influence the moisture
regime. Rocks that resist weathering usually are associated
with poorer sites and rougher topography. Rocks that are
less resistant to weathering are associated with better sites
and more gentle topography. This relationship was found to
be of consequence in the mountains. It was incorporated
into the key through the medium of geographic zones,
which are described in Section 7.1. Some of these zones are
associated with Weisner quartzite, which is highly resistant
to weathering and produces very dry sites, while the
remaining zones are associated with Talladega slate which,
in general, produces somewhat better sites. Since these
zones cannot be distinguished on aerial photographs, their
locations have been made available to the interpreter
through the medium of maps.
Species distribution is not controlled solely by the
amount of available water. Because species become adapted
to a certain set of conditions through evolutionary
development, they occupy reasonably well defined
geographic ranges. These ranges were used, along with the
bedrock geology, in the definition of the zones and have
been made available to the interpreter through zone maps.
Plant communities tend to change with time, becoming
more and more stable as far as species composition is
concerned. This natural phenomenon is called plant
succession. There is no single most stable species
composition or climax community. The climax varies from
site to site within a region. Successional stages are difficult
to determine from aerial photographs. Little more can be
done than to assume that the pine cover types represent
earlier stages and the pine hardwood and hardwood cover
types represent later stages. These assumptions seem
reasonable. Pines are light-seeded, shade intolerant, pioneer
species that occupy areas soon after the forest cover has
been removed by one means or another. There are, of
course, light-seeded intolerant hardwood species that may
invade a denuded area along with the pines, creating a
mixed forest cover. As time goes on, however, heavier
seeded, more tolerant species become established beneath
the pioneer species, and the stand eventually becomes a
pure hardwood stand made up of heavy seeded, tolerant
species. Therefore, the percentage of dark crowns (pine) in
a stand may be used as a rough measure of the stage of
succession. Man's activities in the woods will not modify
these general conclusions to any great extent. If a stand is
clearcut and the site is left in an appropriate condition, the
new stand probably will be pine. If there is no site
preparation, it is likely that, because of their sprouting
capability, the new stand will be almost pure hardwoods. In
any case, it is logical to expect an increasing percentage of
heavy seeded, tolerant species as the percentage of dark
toned crowns in the stand canopy decreases. This is the
only way the photo-interpreter can judge stage of
succession.
The combination of topographic, geological, and broad
species range information apparently can lead to reasonably
reliable estimates of forest cover type occurrence when
used in conjunction with tonal differences on the
photographs.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE KEY
It was accepted initially that habitat-species occurrence
relationships exist and that the problem was to determine
which of these relationships could be used by a
photo-interpreter attempting to determine the species
composition of stands imaged on aerial photographs. The
information needed to determine these relationships was
obtained during extensive field operations of a reconnais-
sance nature. Formal statistical testing procedures were not
used in any phase of the work leading to the construction
of the key. This follows the pattern evolved during the
development of the key for the Piedmont Forest Habitat
Region (Johnson and Sellmann, 1974).
Initially a reconnaissance was made of the Region for the
purpose of obtaining a working knowledge of its geography
and species complexes. No quantitative information was
gathered during this stage of the operation. Instead, the
emphasis was placed on becoming sufficiently familiar with
the situation so that planning of subsequent field
operations would be facilitated.
In the course of this reconnaissance, relationships were
sought between species complexes and the characteristics of
the sites where those species complexes occurred. Attention
was paid to bedrock geology, topographic positions,
aspects, steepness of slopes, and other factors that might be
used to assist in the photo-interpretation of the stands.
Certain relationships quickly become apparent. It was
obvious that the Region would have to be subdivided into
zones. Certain of these zones had affinities with bedrock
geology while others did not. In addition, topographic
position and aspect had considerable influence on the
occurrence of the species complexes. Steepness of slope and
crest width, however, had little or no influence.
Following the preliminary reconnaissance, a more
intensive study of the species complex -site relationships
was initiated. The planning for this study was based on the
knowledge obtained in the course of the reconnaissance.
For this study, transects were run across representative
terrain, in such a manner as to cross the contours at
approximately right angles, from the crests to the bases of
the ridges. These transects were widely dispersed across the
feasible. Initially these transects were laid out on aerial
photographs. They were chosen in such a manner that they
were reasonably accessible and appeared to include a wide
variety of stands on different sites. The transects were
traversed on foot and the species composition and
topographic situation were evaluated and recorded for each
stand along each transect. Species composition was
3
For this work the term "stand" was defined as an area of forest
land which appeared to have, on the photographs, a more or less
homogeneous character with respect to species, tree sizes, and
crown closure.
[10]
evaluated by means of point sampling with a 10-factor
prism so as to obtain estimates of basal areas per acre, by
species, in the overstory. The sampling points were
arbitrarily selected to represent typical parts of the stands.
No 'attempts were made to use any form of formal
probability sampling.
The data obtained from these transects fell into certain
patterns which, when combined with the subjective
knowledge obtained during the reconnaissance and
subsequent field work, provided first approximations for
the variables which eventually were incorporated into the
key. The forest cover types defined in Appendix II and
shown in diagram form in figures 7, 8, and 9, constitute
descriptions of species complexes which occurred repeated-
ly. These were tentatively described at an early stage, and
the descriptions were crystallized after further field work
provided a stronger base.
As previously mentioned, slope position and aspect had
powerful effects on the species occurrence patterns, but
crest width and degree of steepness did not influence the
distribution of species in the Mountain Forest Habitat
Region as they did in the Piedmont. In the mountains
almost all, if not all, crests were relatively narrow, and the
slopes were steep. Therefore, crest width and slope
steepness were not used as variables in the key. As the
reconnaissance transect phase of the study progressed, it
confirmed impressions obtained in the reconnaissance that
conditions in the Weisner quartzite areas were sufficiently
different from those in the Talladega slate areas that the
two formations would have to be differentiated in the key.
After the preliminary relationships described above had
been tentatively organized into a key, field operations were
modified to provide a basis for checking and improving the
key. For this purpose, a large proportion of the roads in the
Region were systematically travelled and the forest cover
alongside the roads was compared to the key, site by site.
In order to avoid the biasing effect of human activities near
well-travelled roads, most of this checking was done on
back-country and woods roads, passable only with a pickup
truck or an all-terrain vehicle. In addition to this vehicular
reconnaissance, much work was done on foot. A number of
hills in both the Weisner quartzite and the Talladega slate
areas were explored in detail on foot to make sure that the
slope position-aspect-species occurrence relationships indi-
cated in the key were correct. A motorboat was used to
gain access to the shores of the Coosa River impoundments.
The field crews would stop at intervals along the shore and
.record conditions along transects run away from the water's
edge. Whenever the key was found lacking it was expanded
or modified. This process was continued until it appeared
that the key yielded correct results in all parts of the
Region.
DESCRIPTION OF THE KEY
The Key consists of two parts (see Appendix I). The first
is a typical dichotomous elmination key which leads either
directly to a forest cover type or to a diagram of a hill. If
one is referred to the hill diagram, he should determine
from the photographs the topographic position of the plot
or stand in question and then he should locate that point
on the diagram. The probable forest cover type occupying
that position would then be read directly from the diagram.
For example if the first part of the key referred the
interpreter to Figure 45A and the stand in question was on
[111
the lower slope facing northeast, the forest cover type
would be P(7), which is usually a mixture of loblolly and
shortleaf pines.
4
FOREST COVER TYPES
The forest cover types recognized by the key are shown
in diagram form in figures 7, 8, and 9, and, in addition, are
formally described in Appendix II.
The development of these type descriptions was a
complex operation which was carried out simultaneously
with the development of the key. Initially a few broad
types were recognized. However, as the need for subdivision
of the Region into zones became evident it also became
evident that the cover types could be correspondingly
refined. As the work progressed the zone pattern became
firmer and as this occurred the cover type descriptions
followed the same pattern.
The data upon which the cover type descriptions are
based are of two types. As has been described, sampling
points were established in what were considered representa-
tive stands. Initially these points were located along
transects but later, when supplemental information was
needed, such points were located without reference to
transects. At each of these points a sweep was made with a
prism having a basal area factor of 10. The overstory trees
selected by the prism were tallied by species. In addition, a
supplementary tally was made of the species occurring in
the stand but not detected by the prism sweeping process.
No attempt was made in this sampling process to conform
to the rules of formal probability sampling. The
impossibility of developing a sampling frame in an
exploratory study of this type precluded the use of formal
sampling procedures. However, studies involving formal
sampling can be built on this work since the key forms the
basis for the development of sampling frames.
The results of this sampling are summarized, within the
context of the final cover types, in tables 1, 2, and 3. These
tables, under the column heading "P", show the rate of
occurrence of each species in the form of a percentage of
the stands sampled. This percentage calculation made use of
both the prism data and the supplementary stand data
previously mentioned. The tables also show, under the
column heading "D", the degree of dominance of each
species in terms of the average percent of the total basal
area of the overstory. These values are based only on the
prism data. The utilization of the supplemental data in the
rate of occurrence computations results in some apparent
anomalies where occurrence rates are high but dominance
rates are low. Black tupelo is an excellent example of such a
species. It occurs widely but only rarely are concentrations
of black tupelo trees found.
The second source of information used in the
development of the cover type descriptions was the
accumulated experience of the persons doing the field
work. These people were professionally trained foresters
who were well prepared to accumulate mental impressions
of cover type - site relationships as well as species
associations. Heavy use was made of this accumulation of
knowledge. It was used to confirm the evidence of prism
data, to bolster prism data when the latter were scarce, and,
in some cases, total dependence had to be placed on it
when prism data were totally lacking.
4
See Appendix III for the scientific names of the species mentioned.
The scarcity or absence of prism data for some cover
types is the result of two factors. First, access to many
parts of the Region is difficult. The terrain is very rough,
the roads are confined essentially to valley floors and
ridgetops, and footpaths are virtually non-existent. In
addition, with the exception of the areas under the
jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service, it is difficult in
many cases to obtain permission to enter or cross property.
This is a particular problem in the Weisner quartzite areas
where the forested areas of interest lie behind farms. The
second reason for the shortage of prism data is the small
total area covered by the types in question. As a
TYPE
Loblolly pine
Longleaf pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Black willow
Eastern cottonwood
Bitternut hickory
Mockernut hickory
Pignut hickory
Shagbark hickory
River birch
Hazel alder
American beech
Black oak
Blackjack oak
Chestnut oak
Northern red oak
Post oak
Scarlet oak
Southern red oak
Water oak
White oak
Willow oak
American elm
Sugarberry
Sweetbay
Yellow-poplar
Sweetgum
American sycamore
Black cherry
Black locust
Boxelder
Red maple
American basswood
Black tupelo
Water tupelo
Green ash
consequence representative stands in these types are
difficult to find and to read. An effort was made to fill the
gaps but eventually it was decided that the cost of the
effort would be excessive and that the work should be
terminated.
The diagrams in figures 7, 8, and 9 are pictorial
representations of the final cover types. The black blocks
represent species that usually are dominant, the vertically
cross-hatched blocks represent species that are common
associates, and the stippled blocks represent species that
occur sporadically or have little significance as far as
contributing to stand basal area is concerned. The diagrams
X
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..._. 
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. C*0 O E, O >_0 o_- 0 >CiCo=0.. 0O X
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P(1) P(2) P(3) P(4) P(5) P(6) P(7) P(8) P(9) P(10) P(11) 
P(12) P(13) P(14)
FIGURE 7. Diagram showing relative importance of species within the pine cover 
types.
5
5 Black blocks indicate the most important species, vertically cross-hatched 
blocks indicate common associates, and speckled blocks indicate
species which occur only sporadically or which usually contribute little to the overstory 
basal area per acre.
[12]
are arranged, with some exceptions, with the cover types
associated with the driest sites on the left and the cover
types associated with the wettest sites on the right. This
provides a visualization of the shifts in species importance
as the quality of the sites change.
A total of 36 cover types have been defined, with pine
types totalling 14, pine-hardwood types totalling 14, and
hardwood types totalling 8. It is recognized that this detail
is not needed by many persons involved with land
management. However, when it became evident that this
detail could be achieved the decision was made to proceed
in the direction of detail rather than that of generality. The
reasoning behind this decision was that users could always
lump types but the reverse could not be done.
TYPE
Loblolly pine
Longleaf pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Black willow
Eastern cottonwood
Bitternut hickory
Mockernut hickory
Pignut hickory
Shagbark hickory
River birch
Hazel alder
American beech
Black oak
Blackjack oak
Chestnut oak
Northern red oak
Post oak
Scarlet oak
Southern red oak
Water oak
White oak
Willow oak
American elm
Sugarberry
Sweetbay
Yellow-poplar
Sweetgum
American sycamore
Black cherry
Black locust
Boxelder
Red maple
American basswood
Black tupelo
Water tupelo
Green ash
The reason for the detail can best be seen on figures 7, 8,
and 9, which show the relative importance of the species
within the types. For example, in Figure 9, H(1) is
distinguished from H(2) by the fact that blackjack oak is
more important in H(1) and white oak in H(2). On the basis
of occurrence alone the two types are practically
indistinguishable. The third upland type, which is
associated with the highly mixed conditions of Zone IX, is
quite different from either of the others. The occurrence
pattern is different and, in addition, no species are
dominant. Figure 7 reveals why there are so many pine
types. It can be seen, in the upland situations, that the
relative proportions of the four pine species change from
type to type. In the lowland types loblolly pine is always
H U)
IA OA U (AU) ) U) (n U) 0(O U
0ede -o 0an 0esn 0nole 
0
ht oan -ut dfe
O 0 O 
O 
78 
b 
0 0 
0 0
O 0 0 y 
0 0* O0
O0 .. o, Oe aO O O 5)0 d 'a O O
as3 Cco E .S.S-o- c 3 -o cC. c o c. c*5. . C (A -0
-aU0.. 0) eCU ~ 0.
CL c a s c .m 2 coa a a a a cO c o c -
co s 2o d0 - ) -o eo o -c c s co -s _ _s > s >s X > .o 
o. ' ct __-
.. ?in th? Oeiso Ocs OuS) .2er .2-8d alas rltiepo
1. cca a.c .c-'c a 0o . .c 
o +. 0coe. ype o 
o ?
PH(1) PH(2) PH(3) PH(4) PH(5) PH(6) PH(7) PH(S) PH(9) PH(1O) PH(11) PH(12) 
PH(13) PH(14)
_, _ _. . . . . . . :.:::_
FIGURE 8. Diagram showing relative importance of species within the pine-hardwood cover types.
[13 ]
dominant but the relative importance 
of other pines
change. In some of these lowland types the 
cover type
differences are based on the mix of associated hardwoods
rather than pines. The importance of this 
is probably
negligible as far as the pine types are concerned 
but it
becomes significant in the pine-hardwood types, 
as can be
seen in Figure 8.
Since the cover types are based on topographic positions
and percentage of dark-toned crowns and not on 
the actual
species groupings themselves, their stability with regard 
to
species components is dependent on the number of 
species
involved. Some of the cover types, such as the pure pine
TYPE
Loblolly pine
Longleaf pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Black willow
Eastern cottonwood
Bitternut hickory
Mockernut hickory
Pignut hickory
Shagbark hickory
River birch
Hazel alder
American beech
Black oak
Blackjack oak
Chestnut oak
Northern red oak
Post oak
Scarlet oak
Southern red oak
Water oak
White oak
Willow oak
American elm
Sugarberry
Sweetbay
Yellow-poplar
Sweetgum
American sycamore
Black cherry
Black locust
Boxelder
Red maple
American basswood
Black tupelo
Water tupelo
Green ash
types, are relatively simple and involve only one, two, 
or
three critical species. The pine-hardwood and hardwood
types involve many more species and can be very complex.
Since species composition is controlled by a number of
interacting factors including site quality, 
stand history,
stage in succession, and proximity to seed sources; it is
possible for species that are expected to be primary
components to be reduced to a minor representation or
even to be absent. It also is possible for species 
to occur as
primary components when normally they would be minor
components or absent. These aberrations cannot be
avoided.
oA 0
-0 -0 -
O m 0 OF " N
4) H(5) H(6) H(7) H(8)
:: : .. .: .: : . : . ._ _. ._ _. ... .. .. .. .. .
,,..o.,.,...., ,.,?........, .......... . . . .
I !
----_---------
.............. :. ....., m; _ -
V)iii!!iiii I) V )iiii~i!~i
:. ... ..... ..... ( (.. ........ ...................
i :::O~~::: !i!!~!?ii~~~iiiiiii!i~i~~i~?
:::::::::: O Oiiiiii~i
:::::O~::: iO ii!i::!!JXl
r
e I I I
"'""""" """"''' I
::::::::::::::::::::: P E I I
i~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ i
TVP. H.'.'.(.'--.'1
' ====================== = = = ;-iii!:.~ ~
! 
1
FIGURE 9. Diagram showing relative importance of species within 
the hardwood cover types.
[14]
.W (a C 'S onUslvs Uei U,
o o o..-.
o o o X "D
.c 3O 3C 0
s. E .CL E 3
H(1) H(2) H(3) H(4
TYPE
Sample size
Loblolly pine
Longleaf pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Black willow
Eastern cottonwood
Bitternut hickory
Mockernut hickory
Pignut hickory
Shagbark hickory
River birch
Hazel alder
American beech
Black oak
Blackjack oak
Chestnut oak
Northern red oak
Post oak
Scarlet oak
Southern red oak
Water oak
White oak
Willow oak
American elm
Sugarberry
Sweetbay
Yellow-poplar
Sweetgum
American sycamore
Black cherry
Black locust
Boxelder
Red maple
American basswood
Black tupelo
Water tupelo
Green ash
0 cc C OC
C .5:5 C C So-0 CL
.23 ~ ~-0 -C - C =-.m=0.0
5, *-- 03C5 C 
C O 
.
o. oO 
00J2 
C 
0
000 J2 m .~ .0
P(1) P(2) P(3) P(4) P(5) P(6) P(7) P(8) P(9) P(10) P(11) P(12) P(13) P(14)
18 43 8 13 48 46 7 0 7 0 6 0 50 3
PD PD PD PD PD PD PD PD PD PD PD PD PD PD
12 2 27 5 17 4 86 38 71 56 100 
97 58 15 6722
22 14 6739100 90 77 3415 7 30 10 29 2 42 13
17 6 19 3 69 3773 3396 78 8648 29 16 50 18
94 73 95 5050<115 10 8744 7 2 14< 1 14 5 96 43 100 78
11<1 42<1 75<1 69 2 58 1 28<1 57<1
5<1 17<1
43 4 50<1
14< 1
6--1
33 5
641
5c.1
79 2
28 2
11 1 16<1
12111 
1 
5<1
2< 1
2<1
9c 1
161.
6*<1
100 10 69 1 37 2 37 1
25<-i 69 7'42 2 22< 1 29< 1
7c.1 29 2
38 3 50 1 26c 1
[3<1 23 1 46 1 24 1 14<1
15<1 13 1 13< 1 14 2
13<1 4'1 57 6
10<1 57 4
6c1 7<1 43<1
8<1l 6<1 7 <1 29cz1
15<18<1 2<.1 29<1
43 2
71 8
57 2
33< 1
67< 1
50 2
17q-1
42<1 33< 1
10 1 67<1
2~1
40 3
18< 1 33 'c1
30 1
144<1
16 1
20< 1 6 7< 1
4<.1 33 ~1
121-
3 2< 1 6 7'1
6 1
71 4 50< 1
6<1 79<1 75< 1 38< 1 54cl 26<1 414l
14< 1
3<1 67<1
76 1.33<1
4<1
Table 1. Occurrence and dominance values for species 
within the pine cover types.
6
6
The rate of occurrence, in terms of percent of stands sampled, is listed under column head "P". The degree of dominance, in terms of average
percent of overstory basal area per acre, is listed under column head "D".
[15]
) m) M) m) o) M) M) a 00
'0 00 0 0 0 00 0 0
0 *0 0 ' O a)O e
0  
o e '0'
ago a a -a-aa.E2 a2 . *5c .Eo C .0
0) ~U a ~ Cc 
LOL0-e
"-C E - -Oac C1P eC A C ce C - c p - - C (D c
cavsvsc!Cc c -0c O C cao .0 ~.II0 o.00=x2 X _
=a =C
0 
0a"0, 
0
.C 0O. OOQ. 00 OE 0~o 00 0O jo. a
>~ > 0 J 0 J 0 > 0 V1 0 J = J-C.) '.0 I.0N J Jt
TYPE
Sample size
Loblolly pine
Longleaf pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Black willow
Eastern cottonwood
Bitternut hickory
Mockernut hickory
Pignut hickory
Shagbark hickory
River birch
Hazel alder
American beech
Black oak
Blackjack oak
Chestnut oak
Northern red oak
Post oak
Scarlet oak
Southern red oak
Water oak
White oak
Willow oak
American elm
Sugarberry
Sweetbay
Yellow-poplar
Sweetgum
American sycamore
Black cherry
Black locust
Boxelder
Red maple
American basswood
Black tupelo
Water Tupelo
Green Ash
PH(1) PH(2)
13 17
P D P D
59 23
41 8
100 4576 20
PH(3) PH(4) PH(5)
12 19 52
P D P D P D
6 2
100 41 74 29 8 1
50 7 58 16 77 32
78 17
PH(6) PH(7)
35 5
P D P D
11 2 60 27
14 1
97 41 60 21
9 2
PH(S) PH(9) PH (1O) PH (11) PH (12) PH (13) PH (14)
0 9 0 3 0 31 2
PDPDPDPDPDPD P D
78 32 100 42 559501
19 5
22 11 61 16
11 1 77 23 5030
33 1
46 1.53 3 92 8 95 6 62 8 80 14 60 13
8 1 6 1 8 3 27 2 3 1 60 7
33 6
22 1
11 4
15
31
77
8
23
15
31
1 18 1
4 76 24 92
38 59 8 50
3 24 5 33
2 35 3 50
3 18 4 25
6 1
21 4 25 3 14
2663 16 52 9 49
2 79 18 65 10 29
5 1 10 1 23
3 26 2 44 5 34
2 20 1
6
8 20 1
4 40 3
3 20 1
4 26 3 42 5 29 3 20 5
3 5 2 6 1 26 4 40 4
163 133 31 76010
11 1
11 1
11 1
42 3
45 4 50 1
67 13 3 1
13 1
23 3
35 8
3 1
39 6
26 3
23 5
56 13 67 8
11 2
6 1
23 1 6
6 1
2 1 14 1 60 6
11 1 20 3
16 1 6 1 20 1
5 1 16 1 14 1 20 1
54 1 711 75 
232 1541 29220 
1
78 17
67 5.
11 1
56 1
67 8
11 1
11 2
11 1
100 19
100 17
33 1
100.27
42 9 50 1
10 1 50 1
50 9
19 4 50 1
29 21100 10
23 1
67 1 23 1
33 1 1o 1
33 1 48 1 50 9
Table 2. Occurrence and dominance values for species within the pine-hardwood cover types.
[16]
V!
0
'IA CA MIn ui O
0 3X 0 3 ?
o 03 roc0
oa 0 ox 
_ 00
" e
c C.c s C a ~-a m.
c5_ !O 2'O > C C a0. 
-
D n8 
a!cf-o z
H(2)
133
P D
15 1
14<1
29 3
13 1
H(3)
4
P D
75 10
H(4) H(5) H(6)
5 58 17
P D P D PD
47 5 59 4
7<1
40 4 7 1 6<1
7<1
H(7) H(8)
2 0
P D P D
50< 1
Black willow
Eastern cottonwood
Bitternut hickory
Mockernut hickory
Pignut hickory
Shagbark hickory
River birch
Hazel alder
American beech
Black oak
Blackjack oak
Chestnut oak
Northern red oak
Post oak
Scarlet oak
Southern red oak
Water oak
White oak
Willow oak
American elm
Sugarberry
Sweetbay
Yellow-poplar
Sweetgum
American sycamore
Black cherry
Black locust
Boxelder
Red maple
American basswood
Black tupelo
Water tupelo
Green ash
2-41 6< 1
7 6 20 74 17
16 <1 22 5
2 <1
1< 1
16 1 21 3
56 9 20 5
84 46 78 29
13 3 20 3
22 3 30 5
24 4 30 7
15 1 15 3
1<1
2 <1 41 9
5 41 6<11
20 7 41 5 18<1
35 5
12 3 100 31
24<1 24<1
20 4 41 4 6< 1 50 5
60
20
100
100
50
2<1 100 5
12 24 4
3 21 3
3<1
3<1
6< 1
17 9 1
37 18<1
5 80 20 84 22 88 26
50 5
50<1
2<1 35 1
6 1
54.1
2<1 28 3 100 34 97 22
6<-1 75 20 72 18
2t1
22<1 27 1 20<1 
16<1
7 <.1 2<1
9<1 23<1
7<1 11<1
44 2 47 2
40 4 81 9
20 8 16 <1
40 <1 31 2
2<125 5 203 7<1
100 21100 39
71 13100<1
12 1100 5
53 2
6 <1100<1
82 4 50<1
24 1
59 6 50X1
12 4
47 8100 13
Table 3. Occurrence and dominance value for species within the hardwood cover types.
[17]
TYPE
Sample
Loblolly pine
Longleaf pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
H(1)
55
P D
4<1
11 1
35 4
24 3
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIABLES
Zones
Early in the reconnaissance phase of the study it became
evident that the distribution of pine species occupying the
crests and upper slopes was not random. In certain areas
within the Region certain pines, or combinations of pines,
were dominant while in other areas other combinations
would be dominant. The reasons for this occurrence pattern
are obscure. It is not known if the pattern is a more or less
permanent phenomenon or if it is transitory. All that can
be said at this point is that it exists.
In a similar manner the distribution of the hardwood
species also follows a pattern. However, in this case the
evidence indicates that the pattern is correlated with
bedrock geology. In general, the sites in the Talladega slate
area are better than their topographic equivalents in the
Weisner quartzite area. As a result the hardwood species
distributions on the two formations are somewhat
different.
In order to take these patterns into account the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region has been divided into nine
zones. The locations of these zones are shown in
generalized form on Figure 10 and in detail on the county
map in Appendix IV. This relatively large number of zones
was necessitated by the interlocking of the pine and
hardwood distribution patterns. As a result, the pine
distribution may be the same in two zones but the
hardwood distributions different. In other cases the reverse
is true.
The zones have been numbered generally from north to
south. Zone I includes the northernmost extension of the
Weisner quartzite area in Alabama. To the north it is
dominated by the Indian Mountain massif and to the
southwest by Duggar Mountain and its associated ridges.
Virginia pine is the dominant pine species along the crests
and upper slopes, but some shortleaf and longleaf pine are
also found on these sites. In the northern half of Zone I,
past forest practices have resulted in dominance of the area
by hardwoods. Few pure pine stands exist. The pine that is
present is in mixed pine-hardwood stands. In the southern
half of the zone, forest disturbance has been less and pure
pine stands are numerous. The hardwood species
distribution over Zone I is typical of Weisner quartzite
areas.
Zone I includes flat valleys that do not belong in the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region (Figure 6), as was
discussed in Section 2, "Description of the Region". No
attempt should be made to use this key to interpret the
forest cover in these valleys.
Zone II is in the Talladega slate area and the hardwood
species distribution is typical of that geologic formation.
The pine distribution is very similar to that in Zone I, with
Virginia pine dominating the crests and upper slopes.
Zone III is in the Talladega slate area. The occurrence
pattern for the pines in this Zone is complex but there is no
doubt that shortleaf is the dominant pine. However,
longleaf and Virginia pines are common and in localized
areas may outnumber the shortleaf pine.
Zone IV is an area of subdued relief within the Talladega
slate area which is very similar to the Ashland Plateau
portion of the Piedmont Forest Habitat Region. Shortleaf
pine is dominant but, unlike the situation in Zone III,
loblolly is the most common associate pine.
Zone V includes the Weisner quartzite ridges existing as
[18]
islands in the Coosa Valley. These include Weisner,
Choccollocco, Coldwater, Alpine, and Kehatchee Moun-
tains and their associated ridges. Longleaf pine dominates
the crests and upper slopes, but patches of Virginia pine
also occur. Shortleaf pine is present everywhere but in
relatively small numbers.
Zone VI, the largest of the zones, includes much of the
main mountain ridge in the Talladega slate area. The pine
occurrence pattern is similar to that in Zone V, but the
hardwood pattern is typical of the Talladega slate area.
Zone VII includes the summit ridge and upper slopes of
Cheaha Mountain and its immediate subordinate ridges
down to approximately the 1,200-foot contour. Within this
zone Virginia pine is dominant but longleaf and shortleaf
pines also are common, particularly below the middle of
the upper slopes. The Virginia pine forms extensive pure
stands while the longleaf and shortleaf pines occur mainly
as secondary components in Virginia pine stands.
Zone VIII is that portion of the Talladega Slate area
which lies southwest of U.S. Highway 431, northeast of
approximately Patterson Gap, and outside of Zone VII. To
the east of Zone VII, Zone VIII is very narrow, while to the
west it is quite wide. The terrain is extremely varied,
ranging from portions of the main mountain ridge to low
rolling foothills. Because of this great range in topography
and because of extensive cultural activities on the part of
the U.S. Forest Service, the pattern of occurrence of the
pines is confused. Any of the four pines can be found
occupying the crests of the low foothills, while on the
higher ridges shortleaf and longleaf pine are common and
patches of Virginia pine are not uncommon.
Zone IX essentially includes the portion of the Talladega
slate area which lies west of the Coosa River. This is an area
of relatively low relief where the Mountain Forest Habitat
Region merges into the Ridge and Valley Region to the
north and west, the Coastal Plain to the south, and the
Piedmont to the south and east. As a transition area it
exhibits the characteristics of such areas. Interspersed
through the area are outliers of the adjacent areas. Since
existing geologic maps of the area are highly inadequate, all
that can be said for figures 53 and 57 are that they are
approximate. The hills usually are associated with the
Talladega slate while the low ground belongs with adjacent
regions, primarily the Ridge and Valley. Since it was not
feasible to map out these non-Talladega slate areas they
could not be excluded from the Mountain Forest Habitat
Region as was done with the limestone valleys in Zone I.
Instead of exclusion it was necessary to modify the key so
as to recognize these non-Talladega slate areas and then to
develop forest cover types to meet the conditions on these
areas. To this end, reference was made to data accumulated
in the Ridge and Valley Region but not yet assembled into
final form for that Region. It is anticipated that the types
developed for the lowlands in Zone IX will not be
significantly different from those developed for the
equivalent portions of the Ridge and Valley Region.
Because of the complexity of the bedrock geology in this
Zone and inadequate knowledge regarding the map
positions of the various bedrock types, the rate of error for
the photo-interpretation of forest cover types is apt to be
much higher than in the other zones.
Forest disturbance in Zone IX has been profound. A
natural stand of pine, on any site in the uplands, may be
made up of any one or more of the four pines. Single
species pine stands are rare. Virginia pine is almost always
TALLAPOOSA
RANDOLPH
CHAMBERS
- Zone I
SZone i1
.MI1 Zone :Mi
miiZone
EZone M
SZone I
Zone I
Zone ~E
~::Zone ii
FIGURE 10. Map of the Mountain Forest Habitat 
Region-in Alabama showing the ten vegetative zones.
[19]
present and very often is the dominant species. However,
the mix of pines is so variable that it is impossible to
estimate the situation in any given case with reasonable
accuracy. As a result it:has been necessary to devise a
"catch-all" pine cover type which indicates the presence of
pine but does not indicate the probable mix of pine species.
On the county maps (figures 51 through 58) the zone
boundaries are shown as lines. In actuality, however, the
boundaries are rarely sharp but rather form transition belts
(ecotones) whose widths may vary from almost zero to
several miles. As a result, one must expect that
interpretations of stands made adjacent to the zone
boundaries would be subject to more error than
interpretations made near the centers of the zones.
Topographic Positions On Hills
The upland sites have been divided into four classes:
crest, upper slope, middle slope, and lower slope; as shown
in Figure 11. The lower bound of the upland zone is the
base level, which is the upper edge of the overflow area, if
one exists, or the bank of the stream if no overflow area is
present. The crest extends across the top of the hill and
down to a point where the main downward slope of the hill
begins.
6 
The length of the slope between the base level and
the lower edge of the crest is divided equally into the three
slope classes, which are self-explafiatory.
Figure 12 shows a portion of the Talladega Slate area
where the stream patterns and the slope classes have been
delineated for illustrative purposes only. The interpreter
should delineate mentally to determine the topographic
position at which the unknown stand occurs. One must
recognize that forest stands usually extend over more than
one topographic situation and that a certain amount of
averaging must be done. Although the key probably would
be more accurate in classifying the cover at points or on
plots, with good judgement the interpreter can achieve
reasonable accuracy with stands.
6
Another definition of the crest is the convex portion of the hilltop.
Aspect
The key recognizes that the moisture regime and, there-
fore, the vegetation distribution patterns are influenced
by the aspect of a slope. Theory and empirical evidence
indicates that the coolest and dampest sites occur on the
northeast facing slopes while the hottest and driest
conditions are found on the southwest facing slopes. The
axis of maximum effect is therefore located along the
N45
0
E-S45
0
W line. The distribution of species is essentially
symmetrical on either side of this line, as is shown in the
hill patterns in figures 42 to 50.
Bottom land Sites
The sites adjacent to streams and subject to overflow
from time to time, i.e., those sites below the base level
previously described (Figure II), have been divided into
four categories: those in the headwaters areas, as in Figure
13, that are essentially intermittant and are the primary
collectors of overland water flow; those in the headwaters
area or immediately below it where the land configuration
is that of a cup (often referred to as a cove) and the stream
is small but usually not intermittant (Figure 14); those
below the headwaters area with stream widths that are less
than 25 feet (Figure 13); and those below the headwaters
area where the stream is 25 feet or more in width (Figure
15). The headwaters streams have very narrow overflow
areas and the vegetation associated with them occurs along
the streambanks or only a short distance from them. On the
photographs this often appears as a single line of crowns
along the water course. Conditions in a cove depend on its
size. Below the headwaters, the overflow zone widens to
some extent but still may remain very narrow because of
the steep sides of the valleys. When the stream reaches a
width of about 25 feet, the associated overflow zone
usually becomes wet enough to support a vegetative
complex different from the one found higher up the
stream. This has been recognized in the key.
Crest
Upper Slope
Middle Slope
Stream width
Lower Slope
Base level
FIGURE 11. Idealized cross-section of a hill and valley showing topographic positions, base level, and 
stream width.
[20]
[211
[22]
404-
ea 0
a)
i Y~
cU
N
L0
ca
U)
/'V
V L
0A
0.
O
E M
0 L()
CCD
S0
o
(0
u- H U
[231
Photographic Tone
The most valuable photo-image 
characteristic for
distinguishing between softwoods 
and hardwoods on black
and white aerial photographs 
is photographic tone.
Hardwoods, as a group, 
reflect more light than 
do
softwoods, usually making them 
appear lighter in tone on
photographic prints than the 
softwoods. This tendency 
can
be accentuated by the appropriate 
choice of photographic
specifications.
The photographic specifications 
used by the ASCS fail to
produce photographs that 
are ideal for forest cover
identification. While the film 
and filter combination is
acceptable, the season 
of the year may or 
may not be
suitable because the agency 
only requires photography 
that
will distinguish field from forest. 
Since the only seasonal
condition that interferes seriously 
with its requirement is
snow cover, most of the 
photographs made for the ASCS
are taken in the summer in 
the North and in the late fall,
winter, or early spring in the 
South. This latter period is the
worst possible for taking 
aerial photographs that are 
to be
used for forest cover evaluation because 
the hardwood
leaves are dying, have fallen, 
or are just developing.
Consequently, photographic 
tones associated with hard-
wood cover are subject to 
wide variations and have 
been
given minimal weight in 
the key. Nevertheless, tone cannot
be ignored completely since 
it is essential to the estimation
of relative proportion of hardwoods 
and softwoods.
A further factor influencing 
photographic tone is
contrast, which is defined 
as the range in grey tones, from
the lightest to darkest, appearing 
on the print. When this
range is short, i.e., the lightest 
tone is not much different
from the darkest tone, 
the print is said to have low 
contrast
and is termed a "soft" print 
(Figure 16). When the lightest
tones are nearly pure white 
and the darkest tones are nearly
black, the print is said to have 
high contrast and is termed
contrasty, or "hard", 
print (Figure 17). Contrast 
is
controlled in the printing process, 
and the usual objective is
to choose a contrast level that 
will reveal the maximum
detail. If the contrast is 
not optimum, detail, i.e.,
information, is lost. In ordering 
photographs from the
ASCS, one is given no opportunity to specify the contrast
level, and the ASCS makes 
little or no effort to provide 
an
optimal contrast. Only rarely does the contrast meet the
desires of a forest photo-interpreter. 
Tonal differences
between hardwoods 
and softwoods are often 
minimal,
making the photo-interpretation 
problem more difficult
than it otherwise would 
be. This problem has been
accentuated in recent years 
with the advent of electronic
"dodging" devices. When not appropriately 
programmed
these devices can produce 
photographs on which species
differences have been completely 
obliterated.
The key in this publication recognizes 
three tonal
situations, based merely 
on the proportion of dark
(softwood) crowns in the stand canopy. (1) 70 percent or
more of the crowns dark grey; 
(2) 30 to 70 percent of the
crowns dark grey; and 
(3) less than 30 percent of 
the
crowns dark grey. 
Neither season of photography 
nor
contrast level of the 
print greatly affects 
the detectability
of the dark grey crowns. However, 
the evaluation of the
hardwood component of the 
canopy is strongly influenced
by these factors.
In the fall, leaves of deciduous trees decline 
in vigor and
die in a pattern that is far 
from uniform, leaving some
crowns visible and others 
invisible, resulting in an
underestimation of the hardwood 
proportion. In addition,
tonal differences between 
hardwoods and softwoods 
are
reduced during this period, 
particularly when the contrast
level is high (Figure 
18).
In winter when the 
deciduous trees bear 
no leaves, the
crowns are invisible on photographs 
and the tone is a
reflection of the ground cover 
and has little or no relation
to the hardwood trees themselves. 
The only evidence that
trees are present are shadows. 
When the shadows of bare
trees fall clear on a smooth 
surface, they may provide 
good
FIGURE 16. Stereogram with 
low contrast.
FIGURE 17. Stereograms with high contrast.
[24]
evidence for evaluation of 
the forest cover (Figure 19).
Though shadows are seldom 
as clear as shown in Figure 
19
they usually can be used 
to estimate the relative density 
of
the hardwood component. 
Figure 20 shows a relatively
dense stand of hardwoods 
whose presence is revealed 
by
their shadows.
Some broadleaved 
tree species (e.g., sweetbay) 
are
evergreen, and some (e.g., 
southern red oak) hold 
their dead
leaves until the new 
leaves appear in the spring. 
This causes
no problem so long 
as the photographs 
were taken on
panchromatic film, 
because both live and 
dead hardwood
leaves usually appear 
lighter on such photographs 
than do
the softwood crowns. 
However, black and white 
infrared
film provides little 
differentiation in tone 
between
softwood crowns and dead hardwood 
leaves.
Tonal differences between 
hardwoods and softwoods
appear to be at their maximum 
after the leafing out process
is essentially complete 
but before the leaves 
are fully
mature. There should be 
no difficulty in classifying a 
stand
into one of the tone classes 
on photographs made then.
Unfortunately, ASCS photography 
in the South rarely is
taken this late in the spring 
and dependence must be placed
on the combination of tone and 
shadows (Figure 21).
Different stands having the 
same ratio of dark to light
crowns may differ considerably 
in appearance because of
difference in stand density. 
Figures 22 to 37 are
stereograms that show examples of the three 
different tone
classes with different stand density levels. Examples are 
also
shown where the hardwood component must be evaluated
from shadows.
Texture
To the experienced forest 
photo-interpreter the arrange-
ment and character of the fine detail of the forest cover
often yields valuable clues to the species composition and
condition of forest stands. Unfortunately there are no
standard textures which can be used as the basis of
communication between interpreters. Each interpreter
describes texture in terms of things with which he is
familiar. Communication is prevented 
if the person given
the description is not familiar with the simile. For this
reason little use has been made of texture as a diagnostic
tool in these keys. There is, however, one condition in the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region where texture is of
sufficient importance to justify its 
inclusion in the key.
Dense stands of Virginia pine have a distinct texture that 
is
illustrated in Figure 13 and in Figure 38. The stands are
made up of small crowned trees that are packed together in
a way that is rarely encountered with the 
other pine
species. As a consequence, reference is made to this texture
in the key. In no other case is texture used as a diagnostic
factor.
FIGURE 18. Stereogram showing hardwoods (A) and 
pine (B) during the fall
color season.
stand. Note the striated appearance of the 
shadows. Density of the striations is
% f :ff~} /. .l.r" / '.''
1;;..., f. :.. f"^::.. . ..... :.!.. . .. . . . . . . . . . .<. i l.
IJ r/,/ 4f/
correlated with stand density.
[25]
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[281
Plantations
Pine plantations are found in many 
places in the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region. 
Though most are
composed of loblolly pine, several 
species have been
planted. Trees are often planted on sites 
where they would
be unlikely to occur naturally. For this reason, 
the key does
not distinguish between species of planted 
pines because it
is based on natural occurrence 
patterns. When these are
violated the key is invalidated.
Young pine plantations are characterized 
by a compara-
tively high uniformity of stand density 
and tree height. In
addition, the rows often can 
be distinguished (Figure 39).
As the plantations grow older, they maintain 
uniformity of
density and tree, but the rows 
become less and less distinct
(Figures 40 and 41). Nevertheless, 
a plantation is seldom
hard to identify.
FIGURE 38. Stereogram of a portion of the Cheaha Mountain area in Clay
County showing dense stands of Virginia 
pine (A). The texture of these stands is
sufficiently distinctive that it is of diagnostic 
value. (GV-1JJ-162, 163)
FIGURE 39. Stereogram showing several 
young pine plantation. The rows of
trees are readily visible.
FIGURE 40. Stereogram of an extensive 
pine plantation that is older than the
plantations shown in Figure 35. Rows 
can be detected but they are not obvious.
The extreme uniformity of the stand indicates 
its non-natural origin.
[29]
FIGURE 41. Stereogram 
of a pine plantation that is older 
than the one in Figure
36. The rows become less evident 
as the plantation grows older.
TESTING THE KEY
Objectives of the Testing Program
The primary objective 
of any test of a key 
should be to
determine its validity. 
In other words, the test 
should
indicate how well the key 
would perform if no errors 
were
made in any decision based on 
the key.
A secondary objective of 
the testing program should 
be
to determine whether or 
not the key is easy to use 
and, if
not, where the decision points 
that present difficulty occur.
Test Program Rationale
The basic validity of 
an aerial photographic 
forest cover
key can be evaluated 
only by sampling a 
portion of the
forest stands in the 
region under study. 
Each of these
stands would have to be 
visited to determine its species
composition and to evaluate 
or measure on the ground 
the
parameters used at the several 
decision points in the 
key.
The parameter information 
then would be used to 
follow
decision paths through 
the key. The key provides, 
at the
end of each decision path, 
an estimate of the species
composition as determined 
in the field. Since there 
are
many paths which might 
be used in a key and 
all should be
evaluated for validity, 
the sample must include 
stands that
are geographically widely 
dispersed, that represent 
a wide
variety of species groupings, 
and a wide spectrum 
of
topographic sites. In order 
to keep the cost of the 
testing
program within reasonable 
limits, the stands in the 
sample
must be reasonably accessible, 
both physically and legally.
Because of these constraints, 
it would be difficult to 
use
probability sampling or 
any formal statistical design 
in the
testing program. However, 
if the sampling is too selective, 
it
will fail to represent 
the intended population. 
To avoid
bias, the sample must 
be selected in advance 
of the field
work. This probably 
can best be accomplished 
by means of
index mosaics and aerial 
photographs. The mosaics 
would
be used to lay out logical 
routes of travel while 
the
photographs would be used 
to locate the sample stands.
The results of a testing 
program such as this would
indicate error rates by 
conditions or by groupings 
of
conditions. These error 
rates would be point estimates 
of
the true error rates. Valid 
confidence intervals could 
not be
computed for these estimates 
because of the method of
sampling. Nevertheless, 
the estimates should 
be of value
because they indicate 
approximately where the 
basic
strengths and weaknesses 
of the key occur. It was intended
that the key for the Mountain 
Forest Habitat Region 
would
[30]
be subjected to a test based 
on this reasoning. However, 
as
is reported in the following 
section, circumstances 
were
such that it was felt 
that it would not be feasible.
In order to obtain information 
regarding the ease of
using the key it would 
be necessary to assemble 
a
representative sample 
of the persons apt to utilize 
a key of
this type and then have the 
members of this sample use 
the
key to evaluate a series of stands. The 
actual compositions
of these stands would 
have to be determined in 
the field.
Error rates, by decision paths, 
resulting from this test could
be used as a measure of the 
ease of using the key.
As in the case of the validity 
test, the sample set of
stands should include as 
many different cover types 
as
possible and should occupy as many 
different site types as
possible. If this is done the probability 
would be high that
most, if not all, the decision paths 
would be explored and
that most, if not all, the 
points of ambiguity would 
be
found by the testers.
A sampling design that would 
yield these error rates
could be developed. Implementing 
the design, however,
would not be simple. The 
persons making up the 
testing
team would have to be 
drawn from the population 
of
potential key users, but 
the team could not include 
anyone
who had been involved in developing 
the key. The bulk of
the team would have to 
consist of persons not employed 
by
the developing organization 
(Auburn University), and 
their
participation would be at 
the pleasure of their employers.
Experience with other key 
testing programs (Parker 
and
Johnson, 1969; Northrop and 
Johnson, 1970) indicates
that some organizations are 
willing to make certain of their
personnel available for such 
purposes. Understandably, 
the
time that these organizations 
are willing to allot to 
this type
of activity is quite limited. 
Since the amount of time
needed to test a 
key adequately is 
relatively great,
particularly if the testers are to be made 
familiar with the
key and its terminology, it is almost impossible 
to assemble
a team to do the work. As 
a result, no formal attempt 
was
made to recruit a team to test 
this key for ease of use.
It must be realized 
that in the process of 
development
the key was continually 
subjected to testing and 
revision by
the persons responsible for 
the project. In addition, a
number of persons within 
the University community 
were
asked to try the key and to 
offer suggestions for possible
revisions. No numerical records 
were kept of these
attempts. However, comments 
generated by this process
received attention and the key 
was modified in response to
these comments. This process 
has undoubtedly made the
key easier to use than it otherwise might be.
Test Results
As was mentioned earlier, the plan for the development
of the key included provisions for a testing process to
determine its validity. To this end approximately half of
the prism point data obtained in this field were reserved for
the test. It was intended that these data would not be used
in the development of the key and consequently would
provide the basis for an independent evaluation of the key.
The decision to reserve a portion of the original data for the
test rather than to acquire new data after the key was
complete was made because of inaccessiblity of much of
the area and the difficulty of the terrain would make the
acquisition of a separate set of data a slow and costly
process.
As the key development proceeded it became evident
that the situation was far more complex than had been
anticipated. Additional field data were obtained, partially
in the form of prism point information and partially in the
form of nonquantitative observations. Even with these data
the key could not be completed and finally the data
reserved for the test had to be used in the key development.
This step was taken with reluctance because it was realized
that it would not be feasible to obtain a new set of test
data. The cost would be excessive. As a result, the following
discussion does not involve an independent test of the key
but rather shows error rates based on the development data.
This is not as satisfactory as an independent test would be
but it does provide some information regarding the validity
of the key.
Table 4 summarizes the validity test when all 721 prism
points were evaluated. The results appear very good. The
high rate of correct evaluations in the case of the
hardwoods is not surprising when one realizes that the
cover types are described in such a manner as to permit
considerable variability. However, the reverse is true with
the pines and yet the error rate remains low. The key
apparently is constructed in such a manner as to recognize
occurrence patterns with considerable reliability.
The evidence available at this point indicates that the key
is fundamentally valid. However, this does not mean that
everyone using the key would obtain similar results. The
key must be used properly or the results will be
unsatisfactory. In the description of the key for the
Piedmont Forest Habitat Region (Johnson and Sellmann,
1974) was a statement regarding the attributes of an ideal
user of the key. Perhaps it would be well to restate that
description. The interpreter should be thoroughly familiar
with the key and should have a good understanding of all
the terms used in the key; he should be capable of making
all measurements or estimates required by the key; he
should be sufficiently familiar with local conditions that he
would be likely to sense a blunder in the making; and,
lastly, he would be imbued with a desire to do his work
well. If the person using this key has these attributes, the
results of his use of the key should be satisfactory.
[31]
04
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LITERATURE CITED
ADAMS, G.I.; BUTTS, C.; STEPHENSON, L. W.; AND
COOKE, W. 1926. Geology of Alabama. Ala. Geol.
Survey. 312 pp.
ANONYMOUS. 1964. Forest Cover Types of North
America. Soc. Amer. Foresters, Washington, 
D.C. 67 pp.
AVERY, T. E. 1966. Forester's Guide 
to Aerial
Photo-interpretation. USDA - Forest Service. Agr.
Handbook 308. 40 pp.
AVERY, T. E. 1968. Interpretation of Aerial 
Photographs.
2nd Ed. Burgess Pub. Co., Minneapolis, 
Minn. 324 pp.
CLARK, R. C. 1972. The Woody Plants of Alabama.
Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, Mo. 242 pp.
HARLOW, W. M. AND HARRAR, E. S. 
1968. Textbook of
Dendrology. 5th Ed. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 
New
York. 512 pp.
HODGKINS, E. J. (ed). 1965. Southeastern Forest Habitat
Regions Based on Physiography. Auburn Univ. Agr.
Exp. Sta. Forestry Dept. Series No. 2. 10 pp.
JOHNSON, E. W. AND SELLMAN, L. R. 1974. Forest
APPENDIX I
Forest Cover Photo-Interpretation Key
for the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region
in
Alabama
1. Stand highly uniform with regard to density, tree
heights, crown widths and tone. Photographic
tonel is dark grey. Rows may or may not be
visible. May be on any site. (figures 39, 40, and
41)........................Pine plantation
2
1. Stand not as above ....................... 2
2. Stand is on upland site (Figure 11) .......... 3
2. Stand is on a streambottom site ........... 38
3. Stand is Zone I (figures 10, 51, 52, and 55) ....... .4
3. Stand is not in Zone I......................7
4. 70 percent or more of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 22, 23, and 24) . . .5
4. Tree crowns are not as above. .............. 6
5. Stand dense with a texture similar to that in fig-
ures 13C and 38, regardless of position on slope . P(1)
5. Stand texture is not as above ............... 39A
6. 30 to 70 percent of the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 25 through 30 and 37B) 39B
6. Less than 30 percent of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 31 through 36
and 37)............ ............. 39C
7. Stand isin Zone II (figures 10, 51, and 55)........8
7. Stand is not in Zone II....................13
8. 70 percent or more of the overstory tree
1
References to photographic tone are applicable to photographs
taken using panchromatic film and a deep yellow (e.g., Wratten No.
12) filter. However, they may also be generally applicable in the
case of photographs taken with black and white infrared film
exposed through a deep yellow (e.g., Wratten No. 12) or deep red
(e.g., Wratten No. 89B) filter.
Cover Photo-Interpretation Key for the Piedmont 
Forest
Habitat Region in Alabama. Auburn Univ. Agr. 
Exp.
Sta. Forestry Dept. Series No. 6. 56 pp.
JOHNSTON, W. D., JR. 1930. Physical Divisions of
Northern Alabama. Ala. Geol. Survey Bull. 38. 48 pp.
MOESSNER, K. E. 1960. Training Handbook, Basic
Technique in Forest Photo-Interpretation. USDA -
Forest Service. Intermountain For. and Range Exp. Sta.
73 pp. offset.
NORTHROP, K. G. AND JOHNSON, E. W. 1970. Forest
type identification. Photogrammetric Engineering.
36:483-490.
PARKER, R. C. AND JOHNSON, E. W. 1969.
Identification of Forest Condition Classes on Near
Vertical Aerial Photographs Taken with a K-20 Camera.
Auburn Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta. Forestry Dept. Series
No. 3. 8 pp.
SPURR, S. H. 1960. Photogrammetry and Photo-Interpre-
tation. Second Ed. Ronald Press, New York. 472 pp.
WILSON, R. C. et. al. 1960. Photo-Interpretation in
Forestry. Chap. 7 in Manual of Photo-Interpretation. pp.
457-520. Amer. Soc. Photogram., Washington, D.C.
crowns are dark grey (figures 22, 23, and 24) . . .9
8. Tree crowns are not as above . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
9. Stand dense with a texture similar to that in fig-
ures 13C and 38, regardless of position on slope . .P(1)
9. Stand texture is not as above .......... Figure 40A
10. 30 to 70 percent of the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 25 through 30 and
37B) ....................... Figure 40B
10. Less than 30 percent of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 31 through 36
and 37A) .................... Figure 40C
11. Stand in Zone III (figures 10, 51, and 55) ....... 12
11. Standisnotin Zone III ................... 15
12. 70 percent or more of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 22, 23 and 24). . . 13
12. Tree crowns are not as above ............. 14
13. Stand dense with a texture similar to that in fig-
ures 13C and 38, regardless of position on slope . .P(1)
13. Stand texture in not as above.......... Figure 41A
14. 30 to 70 percent of the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 25 through 30 and
37B) ........................ Figure 41B
14. Less than 30 percent of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 31 through 36
and 37A) ..................... Figure 41C
15. Stand is in Zone IV (figures 10, 51, and 55) ...... 16
15. Stand is not in Zone IV ..................... 19
16. 70 percent or more of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 23, 23, and
24). .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
16. Tree crowns are not as above.............18
17. Stand dense with a texture similiar to that in fig-
ures 13C and 38, regardless of position on
slope ................................... P(1)
17. Stand texture is not as above .......... .Figure 42A
18. 30 to 70 percent of the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 25 through 30 and
37B).......................Figure 42B
[34]
18. Less than 30 percent of the overstory tree
crowns are dark-grey (figures 31 through 36
and 37A)....................Figure42C
19. Stand is in Zone V (figures 10, 51, 52, and 58)....20
19. Stand is not in Zone V ..................... 23
20. 70 percent or more of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 22, 23, and
24) ................................. 21
20. Tree crowns are not as above.............22
21. Stand dense with a texture similar to that in fig-
ures 13C and 38, regardless of position on
slope............ ................... P(1)
21. Stand texture is not as above...........Figure 43A
22. 30 to 70 percent of the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 25 through 30 and
37B).......................Figure 43B
22. Less than 30 percent of the overstory trees
crown are dark grey (figures 31 through 36
and 37A)....................Figure 43C
23. Stand is in Zone VI (figures 10, 51, 54, 55, 56,
and 58)...............................24
23. Stand is not in Zone VI .....................27
24. 70 percent or more of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 22, 23, and 24).. 25
24. Tree crowns are not as above.............26
25. Stand dense with a texture similar to that in
figures 13C and 38, regardless of position on
slope ................................. P(l)
25. Stand texture is not as above...........Figure 44A
26. 30 to 70 percent of the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 25 through 30:and
37B)..........................Figure 44B
26. Less than 30 percent of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 31 through 36
and 37A)....................Figure 44C
27. Stand is in Zone VII (figures 10, 54, and 55)......28
27. Stand is not in Zone VII....................31
28. 70 percent or more of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 22, 23, and 24) .. 29
28. Tree crowns are not as above........... 30
29. Stand dense with a texture similar to that in
figures 13C and 38, regardless of position on
slope.................................P(l)
29. Stand texture is not as above........... Figure 45A
30. 30 to 70 percent of the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 25 through 30 and
37B)......................... Figure 45B
30. Less than 30 percent of the overstory trees
are dark grey (figures 31 through 36 and
37A)......................... Figure 45C
31. Stand is in Zone VIII (figures 10, 51, 54, 55,
and 58)................................ 32
3 1. Stand is in Zone IX (figures 10, 53, 56, and 57) . .. 35
are dark grey (figures 31 through 36 and
37A)......................... Figure 46C
35. 70 percent or more of the overstory three crowns
are dark grey (figures 22, 23, and 24) .......... 36
35. Tree crowns are not as above.................37
36. Stand dense with a texture similar to that in
figures 13C and 38, regardless of position on
slope............................P(1)
36. Stand texture is not as above........Figure 47A
37. 30 to 70 percent of overstory tree crowns are dark
grey (figures 25 through 30 and 37B) .... Figure 47B
37. Less than 30 percent of overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 31 through 36 and
37A)............................ Figure 47C
38. Stream at or immediately below headwaters
area (figures 13A and 14)................39
38. Stream second order or larger, below head-
waters area (figures 13B and 15)............59
39. Headwaters area or area just below the headwaters
area is cup-shaped or a deep ravine (cove)
(Figure 14).............................40
39. Headwaters area is not as above. Streams are in-
termittant and poorly defined. Stands along
stream courses are very narrow and difficult to
distinguish from surrounding stands............ 42
40. 70 percent or more of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 22, 23, and
24). This condition rarely occurs.........P(8)
40. Tree crowns are not as above..............49
41. 30 to 70 percent of the overstory tree crowns are
dark grey (figures 25 through 30 and 37B) .PH(8)
41. Less than 30 percent of the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 31 through 36 and 37A) .. H(4)
42. 70 percent or more of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 22, 23, and 24) . " 43
42. Tree crowns are not as above ............. 50
43. Standisin Zone I(figures 10, 51, 52, and 55)....P(5)
43. Stand is notinZonel......................44
44. Stand is in Zone II (figures 10, 51, and 55)...P(5)
44. Stand is not in Zone II..................45
45. Stand is in Zones III or IV (figures 10, 51, and
55)..................................P(6)
45. Stand is not in Zones III or IV........ ....... 46
46. Stand is in Zone V (figures 10, 51, 52, and
58)............................... P(4)
46. Stand is not in Zone V................... 47
47. Stand is in Zone VI (figures 10, 51, 54, 55, 56,
and 58)............................... P(3)
47. Stand is not in Zone VI..................... 48
48. Stand is in Zone VII (figures 10, 54, and 55) .P(5)
48. Stand is not in Zone VII................. 49
49. Stand is in Zone VIII (figures 10, 51, 54, 55, and
58). o... ................................. P(2)
49. Stand is"in7one IX/(figures10,53/5, n 57 /.P13)
55)...................(6)
53. Stand is not in Zones 
III or IV...............54
54. Stand is in Zone V 
(figures 10, 51, 52, and
58)............................PH(4)
54. Stand is not in Zone V 
................. 55
55. Stand is in Zone VI (figures 
10, 51, 54, 55, 56
and 58) ........
PH(S)
55. Stand is not in Zone 
VI....................56
56. Stand is in Zone VII 
(figures 10, 54 and
55)............................PH(S)
56. Stand is not in Zone VII................57
57. Stand is in Zone VIII 
(figures 10, 51, 54, 55,
and 58)............................PH(2)
57. Stand is in Zone IX (figures 
10, 53, 56, and
57)..............................PH(13)
58. Stand is in Zones 
I or V (figures 10, 51, 52,
55, and 58)........................H(1)
58. Stand is not in Zones 
IorV.............H(2)
59. Stand may or may not 
have an overstory. If an
overstory is present this 
refers only to the under-
story. Stand is dense and 
is made up of shrubs
rarely exceeding 20 feet in 
height. The photo-
graphic tone is light grey. 
Such stands are usually
found only along slow moving 
streams on relative-
ly flat valley floors at the foot 
of main ridges ... H(8)
59. The stand and site 
conditions are not as above 
.... 60
60. Stand is in Zone 
IX (figures 10, 53, 56, and
57)................................61
60. Stand is not in ZonelIX.................. 
66
61. Floodplain width is 
less than 50 feet (less 
than
0.03 inches on photographs 
with a scale of
1:20,000)..............................6
61. Floodplain in width 
is 50 feet or more (0.03
inches or. more on photographs 
with a scale of
1:20,000).............................. 
64
62. 70 percent or more 
of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey 
(figures 22, 23 and
24)......... ..................... 
P(10)
62. Tree crowns are not as above.............. 
63
63. 30 to 70 percent of the 
overstory tree crowns 
are
dark grey (figures 25 through 
30, and 37B) . . .PH(l0)
63. Less than 30 percent of the overstory 
tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 31 through 
36, and 37A). . H(6)
64. 70 percent or more 
of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 
22, 23, and
24). ...........................
P(11)
64. Tree crowns are not 
as above.............65
65. 30 to 70 percent 
of the overstory tree crowns 
are
dark grey (figures 25 through 
30, and 37B) ... PH(1 1)
65. Less than 30 percent 
of the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 31 through 
36, and 37A). . H(6)
66. Stream proper is 
less than 25 feet in width
(or less than 0.015 inches 
on photographs
with a scale of 1:20,000) 
(figures 13B and
15). .............................
67
66. Stream proper is 
25 feet or more in width
(or 0.015 inches or greater 
on photographs
with a scale of 1:20,000) 
(figures 13B and
15). ............................
69
67. 70 percent or more of 
the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 22, 
23, and 24) .........
P(9)
67. Tree crowns are 
not as above.................68
68. 30 to 70 percent of 
the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 
25 through 30, and
37B) .... ... ................. 
.. ... PH(9)
68. Less than 30 percent 
of the overstory tree
crowns are dark grey (figures 
31 through 36,
and 37A).......................... 
H(S)
69. 70 percent or more of 
the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 22, 23, 
and 24)........... 70
69. Tree crowns are not as 
above.................71
70. Stand is in Zone IV 
(figures 10, 51, and
.5 
. . . . . .. . . .
. . . . P(12)
70. Stand is not in Zone 
IV................ P(11)
71. 30 to 70 percent of the 
overstory tree crowns are
dark grey (figures 25 through 
30 and 37B)....... 72
71. Less than 30 percent of 
the overstory tree crowns
are dark grey (figures 31 through 
36 and 37A) . .. .73
72. Stand is in Zone IV 
(figures 10, 51 and
55)............................. 
PH(12)
72. Stand in not in Zone IV.............. 
PH(l 1)
73. Stand is in Zone IV (figures 
10, 51, and 55) .... H(7)
73. Stand is not in ZoneIV................... 
H(S)
[36]
o? P(7)
2250 L W
A. 70% + crowns dark grey
B. 30-70% crowns dark grey
1800
C. Less than 30% of crowns dark grey
FIGURE 42. Forest cover type distribution, Zone . If stand oc-
curs on a saddle use the cover type occurring on mid-slope when
the aspect is N45b) W.
A. 70 % - crowns dark grey
1800
B. 30-70% crowns dark grey
225? L sW 1350
1800
C. Less than 30% of crowns dark grey
FIGURE 43. Forest cover type distribution, Zone II. If stand oc-
curs on a saddle, use the cover type occurring on mid-slope when
the aspect is N45
0 
W.
[37]
A. 70% + crowns dark grey
B. 30-70% crowns dark grey
C. Less than 30% of crowns dark grey
FIGURE 44. Forest cover type distribution, Zone Ill. If stand oc-
curs on a saddle, use the cover type occurring on mid-slope when
the aspect is N45? W.
FIGURE 45. Forest cover type distribution, Zone IV. If stand oc-
curs on a saddle, use the cover type occurring on mid-slope when
the aspect is N45? W.
[38]
00
3560
?
A. 70% + crowns dork grey
B. 30 -70% crowns dark grey
[ C. Less than 30% of crowns dark grey
FIGURE 46. Forest cover type distribution, Zone V. If stand oc-
curs on a saddle use the cover type occurring on mid-slope when
the aspect is N45
6
W.
FIGURE 47. Forest cover type distribution, Zone VI. If stand oc-
curs on a saddle, use the cover type occurring on mid-slope when
the aspect is N45
?
W.
[39]
I
A. 70% + crowns darkgreyA
8. 30-70% crowns dark grey
I800
jC. Less than 30% of crowns dark grey
FIGURE 48. Forest cover type distribution, Zone VII. If stand oc-
curs on a saddle use the cover type occurring on mid-slope when
the aspect is N45" W.
B. 30-70% crowns dark grey
2250 LW I350
1800
C. Less than 30% of crowns dark grey
FIGURE 49. Forest cover type distribution, Zone VIII. If stand oc-
curs on a saddle, use the cover type occurring on mid-slope when
the aspect is N45? W.
[40]
A.7% + rwsdokge
APPENDIX II
FIGURE 50. Forest cover type distribution, Zone IX. If stand oc-
curs on a saddle, use the cover type occurring on mid-slope when
the aspect is N45
?
W.
Forest Cover Types Occurring
in the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region
Cover Types Cover Types S.A.F.
Symbol Equivalents
P(1) Virginia Pine 79
Type Description
Pine makes-up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Virginia pine usually makes up the bulk of the
pine component. Longleaf pine and shortleaf pine are
common associates. Loblolly pine occurs sporadically. The
most common hardwood associate is chestnut oak. Less
common hardwood associates include mockernut hickory,
blackjack oak, northern red oak, post oak, scarlet oak,
southern red oak, and black tupelo.
P(2) Virginia pine-
longleaf pine
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Virginia pine and longleaf pine, in any
combination, usually make up the bulk of the pine
component. Shortleaf pine is a common associate. Loblolly
pine occurs sporadically. The most common hardwood
associates are blackjack oak and chestnut oak. Less
common hardwood associates include mockernut hickory,
pignut hickory, black oak, post oak, scarlet oak, southern
red oak, white oak, sweetgum, black cherry, red maple, and
black tupelo.
P(3) Longleaf Pine 70
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Longleaf pine usually makes up the bulk of the
pine component. Shortleaf pine and Virginia pine are
common associates. Loblolly pine occurs sporadically. The
most common hardwood associate is blackjack oak. Less
common hardwood associates include mockernut hickory,
chestnut oak, post oak, scarlet oak, southern red oak, white
oak, sweetgum, black cherry, red maple, and black tupelo.
P(4) Longleaf pine-
shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Longleaf pine and shortleaf pine, in any
combination, usually make up the bulk of the pine
component. Virginia pine is a common associate. Loblolly
pine occurs sporadically. The most common hardwood
associates are chestnut oak and post oak. Less common
hardwood associates include mockernut hickory, blackjack
oak, scarlet oak, southern red oak, black cherry, red maple,
and black tupelo.
[41]
77 P(10)
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Shortleaf pine and Virginia pine, in any
combination, usually make up the bulk of the pine
component. Loblolly pine and longleaf pine are common
associates. The most common hardwood associates are
blackjack oak and chestnut oak. Less common hardwood
associates are mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, black
oak, post oak, scarlet oak, southern red oak, white oak,
yellow-poplar, sweetgum, black cherry, red maple, and
black tupelo.
Shortleaf pine
Loblolly pine
(branch, Zone IX)
81
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. Shortleaf pine and Virginia pine occur
sporadically. The most common hardwood associates are
shagbark hickory, water oak, white oak, yellow-poplar, and
sweetgum. Less common hardwood associates include
pignut hickory, river birch, American elm, black cherry, red
maple, black tupelo, and green ash.
P(11)
75, 80
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Shortleaf pine usually makes up the bulk of the
pine component. Loblolly pine, longleaf pine, and Virginia
pine are common associates. Hardwood associates include
mockernut hickory, blackjack oak, chestnut oak, northern
red oak, post oak, scarlet oak, southern red oak, white oak,
sweetgum, black cherry, red maple, and black tupelo.
Loblolly pine
(floodplain)
81
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. Shortleaf pine and Virginia pine occur
sporadically. The most common hardwood associates are
yellow-poplar and sweetgum. Less common hardwood
associates include mockernut hickory, pignut hickory,
white oak, American sycamore, black cherry, red maple,
black tupelo, and green ash.
P(7) Loblolly pine-
shortleaf pine
81 P(12)
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Loblolly pine and shortleaf pine, in any
combination, usually make up the bulk of the pine
component. Longleaf pine and Virginia pine occur
sporadically. The most common hardwood associates are
northern red oak, southern red oak, white oak, and
yellow-poplar. Less common hardwood associates include
mockernut hickory, chestnut oak, scarlet oak, sweetgum,
black cherry, red maple, black tupelo, and green ash.
P(8) Loblolly pine
(cove)
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. The other pinesoccur sporadically. The pines occur The most
common hardwood associates are chestnut oak, white oak,
yellow-poplar, and sweetgum. Less common hardwood
associates include mockernut hickory, pignut hickory,
American beech, northern red oak, black cherry, red maple,
black tupelo, and green ash.
P(9) Loblolly pine 81
(branch)
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. Shortleaf pine is a common associate. Longleaf
pine and Virginia pine occur sporadically. The most
common hardwood associates are white oak, yellow-poplar,
sweetgum, and red maple. Less common hardwood
associates include mockernut hickory, pignut hickory,
American beech, black cherry, black tupelo, and green ash.
81Loblolly pine
(floodplain-
Tallapoosa River)
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. Shortleaf pine occurs sporadically. The most
common hardwood associates are river birch, yellow-poplar,
sweetgum, American sycamore, and green ash. Less
common hardwood associates include black willow,
American beech, water oak, white oak, black cherry,
boxelder, red maple, and black tupelo.
81 P(13) Mixed pines
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Any of the four pines may dominate the stand
but Virginia pine is most common and loblolly pine least
common. The most common hardwood associate is
blackjack oak. Less common hardwood associates include
mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, American beech,
chestnut oak, post oak, scarlet oak, southern red oak, white
oak, American elm, yellow-poplar, sweetgum, black cherry,
red maple, black tupelo, and green ash. This type is used in
confused situations, such as transition areas, and conse-
quently is not well defined.
P(14) Mixed pines
(Zone IX)
Type Description
Pine makes up 70 percent or more of the basal area of the
overstory. Loblolly pine is usually a major component but
shortleaf pine and Virginia pine often are dominant.
Longleaf pine occurs much less frequently than do the
other pines. The most common hardwood associates are
southern red oak, water oak, white oak, American elm,
[42]
P(5) Shortleaf pine-
P(6)
yellow-poplar, and sweetgum. Less common hardwood
associates include pignut hickory, chestnut oak, scarlet oak,
sugarberry, black cherry, red maple, black tupelo, and green
ash.
Virginia pine-
upland hardwoods
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Virginia pine usually makes up the bulk of the
pine component. The most common pine associate is
shortleaf pine. Longleaf pine occurs less frequently than
shortleaf pine but considerably more often than does
loblolly pine. The most common hardwood is chestnut oak.
Other common hardwoods are blackjack oak, post oak,
scarlet oak, and southern red oak. Less common hardwood
associates include mockernut hickory, black oak, northern
red oak, black cherry, and black tupelo. In some cases the
less common species may become important stand
components.
PH(2) Virginia pine-
longleaf pine-
upland hardwoods
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Virginia pine and longleaf pine, in any
combination, usually make up the bulk of the pine
component. Shortleaf pine is a common associate. Loblolly
pine occurs sporadically. The most common hardwoods are
blackjack oak and chestnut oak. Other common hardwoods
are mockernut hickory, post oak, scarlet oak, and southern
red oak. Less common hardwood associates include pignut
hickory, black oak, northern red oak, white oak,
yellow-poplar, sweetgum, black cherry, red maple, and
black tupelo. In some cases the less common species may
become important stand components.
PH(3) Longleaf pine-
upland hardwoods
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Longleaf pine usually makes up the bulk of the
pine component. Shortleaf pine and Virginia pine are
common associates. Loblolly pine occurs sporadically. The
most common hardwoods are mockernut hickory and
blackjack oak. Other common hardwoods are pignut
hickory, chestnut oak, post oak, scarlet oak, southern red
oak, and black tupelo. Less common hardwood associates
include white oak, yellow-poplar, sweetgum, black cherry,
and red maple. In some cases the less common species may
become important stand components.
PH(4) Longleaf pine-
shortleaf pine-
upland hardwoods
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Longleaf pine and shortleaf pine, in any
combination, usually make up the bulk of the pine
component. Virginia pine is a common associate. Loblolly
pine occurs sporadically. The most common hardwoods are
mockernut hickory, blackjack oak, and chestnut oak. Other
common hardwoods are black oak, post oak, scarlet oak,
and southern red oak. Less common hardwood associates
include northern red oak, white oak, black cherry, red
maple, and black tupelo. In some cases the less common
species may become important stand components.
Shortleaf pine-
Virginia pine-
upland hardwoods
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Shortleaf pine and Virginia pine, in any
combination, usually make up the bulk of the pine
component. Loblolly pine and longleaf pine occur
sporadically. The most common hardwoods are mockernut
hickory, blackjack oak, and chestnut oak. Other common
hardwoods are pignut hickory, black oak, post oak, scarlet
oak, and southern red oak. Less common hardwood
associates include northern red oak, white oak, yellow-
poplar, sweetgum, black cherry, red maple, and black
tupelo. In some cases the less common species may beconme
important stand components.
PH(6) Shortleaf pine-
upland hardwoods
76
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Shortleaf pine usually makes up the bulk of the
pine component. The other pines are much less common.
The most common hardwoods are mockernut hickory,
blackjack oak, chestnut oak, and white oak. Other common
hardwoods are black oak, northern red oak, post oak,
scarlet oak, and southern red oak. Less common hardwood
associates include pignut hickory, yellow-poplar, sweetgum,
black cherry, red maple, and black tupelo. In some cases
the less common species may become important stand
components.
Loblolly pine-
shortleaf pine-
upland hardwoods
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Loblolly pine and shortleaf pine, in any
combination, usually makes up the bulk of the pine
component. Virginia pine is a common associate. Longleaf
pine rarely occurs. The most common hardwoods are
mockernut hickory and white oak. Other common
hardwoods are pignut hickory, northern red oak, scarlet
oak, southern red oak, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum. Less
common hardwood associates include black oak, chestnut
oak, post oak, black cherry, red maple, black tupelo, and
green ash. In some cases the less common species may
become important stand components.
PH(8) Loblolly pine-
cove hardwoods
82
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
[43]
PH(1)
PH(5)
PH(7)
up of pine. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. The other pines occur sporadically. The most
common hardwoods are chestnut oak, white oak, and
yellow-poplar. Other common hardwoods are sweetgum
and red maple. Less common hardwood associates include
mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, American beech,
northern red oak, black cherry, American basswood, black
tupelo, and green ash. In some cases the less common
species may become important stand components.
PH(9) Loblolly pine- 82
branch hardwoods
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. Shortleaf pine is a common associate. Longleaf
pine and Virginia pine occur sporadically. The most
common hardwoods are white oak, yellow-poplar, and red
maple. Other common hardwoods are American beech and
sweetgum. Less common hardwood associates include
mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, hazel aider, chestnut
oak, northern red oak, post oak, American elm, American
sycamore, black cherry, American basswood, black tupelo,
and green ash. In some cases the less common species may
become important stand components.
PH(10) Loblolly pine-
branch hardwoods
(Zone IX)
82
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. Shortleaf pine and Virginia pine occur
sporadically. The most common hardwoods are shagbark
hickory, water oak, white oak, yellow-poplar, and
sweetgum. Other common hardwoods are river birch, black
cherry, red maple, and green ash. Less common hardwood
associates include mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, hazel
alder, American beech, American elm, sugarberry, Ameri-
can sycamore, boxelder, American basswood, and black
tupelo. In some cases the less important species may
become important stand components.
PH(11) Loblolly pine-
floodplain
hardwoods
82
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. Shortleaf pine and Virginia pine occur
sporadically. The most common hardwoods are American
beech, white oak, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum. Other
common hardwoods are northern red oak and red maple.
Less common hardwood associates include bitternut
hickory, mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, hazel alder,
chestnut oak, water oak, American sycamore, black cherry,
American basswood, black tupelo, and green ash. In some
cases the less common species may become important stand
components.
[44]
PH(12) Loblolly pine-
floodplain
hardwoods
(Tallapoosa River)
82
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Loblolly pine is almost always the major pine
component. Shortleaf pine occurs sporadically. The most
common hardwoods are river birch, yellow-poplar, sweet-
gum, American sycamore, and green ash. Other common
hardwoods are black willow, American beech, water oak,
white oak, boxelder, red maple, and black tupelo. Less
common hardwood associates include eastern cottonwood,
bitternut hickory, pignut hickory, hazel alder, scarlet oak,
willow oak, American elm, sweetbay, black cherry, and
American basswood. In some cases the less common species
may become important stand components.
PH(13) Mixed pines-
upland hardwoods
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Any of the four pines may dominate the stand
but Virginia pine is most common. Common hardwoods are
mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, blackjack oak,
chestnut oak, post oak, scarlet oak, southern red oak, white
oak, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum. Less common hardwood
associates include American beech, black oak, northern red
oak, American elm, black cherry, red maple, American
basswood, and black tupelo. In some cases the less common
species may become important stand components.
PH(14) Mixed pines-
upland hardwoods
(Zone IX)
Type Description
30 to 70 percent of the basal area of the overstory is made
up of pine. Loblolly pine is usually a major component but
shortleaf pine or Virginia pine may be dominant. Longleaf
pine occurs sporadically. Common hardwoods are pignut
hickory, southern red oak, water oak, white oak, American
elm, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum. Less common hardwood
associates include mockernut hickory, shagbark hickory,
American beech, chestnut oak, scarlet oak, sugarberry,
black tupelo, and green ash. In some cases the less common
species may become important stand components.
H(1) Upland hardwoods
(dry)
44
Type Description
Less than 30 percent of the basal area of the overstory is
made up of pine. The most common pine species depends
on the zone, following the pattern of the pure pine stands
occurring on equivalent sites. The most common
hardwoods are mockernut hickory, blackjack oak, and
chestnut oak. Other common hardwoods are black oak,
northern red oak, post oak, scarlet oak, southern red oak,
and black tupelo. Less common hardwood associates
include pignut hickory, white oak, yellow-poplar, black
cherry, black locust, red maple, and American basswood. In
some cases the less common species may become important
stand components.
H(2) Upland hardwoods 44
(moist)
Type Description
Less than 30 percent of the basal area of the overstory is
made up of pine. The most common pine species depends
on zone, following the pattern of the pure pine stands
occurring on equivalent sites. The most common
hardwoods are mockernut hickory, chestnut oak, and white
oak. Other common hardwoods are pignut hickory, black
oak, blackjack oak, northern red oak, post oak, scarlet oak,
southern red oak, yellow-poplar, and black tupelo. Less
common hardwood associates include American beech,
water oak, American elm, sweetgum, black cherry, black
locust, red maple, American basswood, and green ash. In
some cases the less common species may become important
stand components.
H(3) Upland hardwoods
(moist, Zone IX)
52
Type Description
Less than 30 percent of the basal area of the overstory is
made up of pine. The most common pine is loblolly pine.
Shortleaf pine and Virginia pine occur sporadically.
Common hardwoods are pignut hickory, southern red oak,
water oak, American elm, yellow-poplar, and
sweetgum. Less important hardwood associates include
mockernut hickory, shagbark hickory, American beech,
chestnut oak, northern red oak, scarlet oak, sugarberry,
black tupelo, and green ash. In some cases the less common
species may become important stand components.
H(4) Cove hardwoods
Type Description
Less than 30 percent of the basal area of the overstory is
made up of pine. The most common pine is loblolly pine.
Shortleaf pine occurs sporadically. The most common
hardwoods are chestnut oak, white oak, and yellow-poplar.
Other common hardwoods are mockernut hickory, pignut
hickory, American beech, northern red oak, sweetgum, red
maple, American basswood, and green ash. Less common
hardwood associates include black cherry and black tupelo.
In some cases the less common species may become
important stand components.
H(5) Branch hardwoods 59
Type Description
Less than 30 percent of the basal area of the overstory is
made up of pine. The most common pine is loblolly pine.
The other pines occur sporadically. The most common
hardwoods are white oak, yellow-poplar, sweetgum, and red
maple. Other common hardwoods are pignut hickory,
American beech, chestnut oak, northern red oak, and black
tupelo. Less common hardwood associates include mocker-
nut hickory, hazel alder, post oak, scarlet oak, southern red
oak, water oak, American elm, sweetbay, American
sycamore, black cherry, American basswood, and green ash.
In some cases the less important species may become
important stand components.
H(6) Branch hardwoods
(Zone IX)
59
Type Description
Less than 30 percent of the basal area of the overstory is
made up of pine. The most common pine is loblolly pine.
The other pines rarely occur. The most common hardwoods
are shagbark hickory, white oak, yellow-poplar, sweetgum,
and green ash. Other common hardwoods are river birch,
water oak, black cherry, red maple, and black tupelo. Less
common hardwood associates include black willow,
mockernut hickory, pignut hickory, hazel alder, American
beech, northern red oak, American elm, sugarberry,
American sycamore, boxelder, American basswood, and
water tupelo. As the stream and attendant floodplain
widen, the percentage of green ash and water tupelo
increases. The water tupelo occurs only along the slow
moving portions of the streams. In some cases the less
common species may become inportant stand components.
H(7) Floodplain
hardwoods
(Tallapoosa River)
61
Type Description
Less than 30 percent of the basal area of the overstory is
made up pine. The most common pine is loblolly pine. The
other pines rarely occur. The most common hardwoods are
river birch, yellow-poplar, sweetgum, American sycamore,
and green ash. Other common hardwoods are black willow,
hazel alder, American beech, water oak, white oak,
boxelder, red maple, and black tupelo. Less common
hardwood associates include eastern cottonwood, bitternut
hickory, pignut hickory, scarlet oak, willow oak, American
elm, sweetbay, black cherry, and American basswood. In
some cases the less common species may become important
stand components.
H(8) Hazel alder-
Type Description
Hazel alder makes up 70 percent or more of the crown
cover of the stand. Intermixed with the alder, often as an
overstory, are yellow-poplar, sweetgum, black willow, and
other wet site species.
[45
APPENDIX III
Scientific Names of the Tree Species'
Conifers
Pine Family Pinaceae
Loblolly pine ...................... Pinus taeda L.
Longleaf pine..................Pinus palustris Mill.
Shortleaf pine .................. Pinus echinata Mill.
Virginia pine..................Pinus virginiana Mill.
Broad-leaved Trees
Willow or Poplar Family Salicaceae
Black willow.....................Salix nigra Marsh
Eastern cottonwood ......... Populus deltoides Bartr.
Walnut Family Juglandaceae
Bitternut hickory Carya cordiformis (Wangenh.) K. Koch
Mockernut hickory ........... Carya tomentosa Nutt.
Pignut hickory............Carya glabra (Mill.) Sweet
Shagbark hickory ........ Carya ovata (Mill.) K. Koch.
Birch Family Betulaceae
River birch........................ Betula nigra L.
Hazel alder........... .Alnus serrulata (Aiton) Willd.
2
Beech Family Fagaceae
American beech ............. Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.
Black oak................... Quercus velutina Lam.
Blackjack oak ......... Quercus marilandica Muenchh.
Chestnut oak .................... Quercus prinus L.
Northern red oak ................. Quercus rubra L.
Post oak................. Quercus stellata Wangenh.
Scarlet oak.............. Quercus coccinea Muenchh.
Southern red oak.............Quercus falcata Michx.
Water oak........................Quercus nigra L.
White oak........................Quercus alba L.
Willow oak.....................Quercus phellos L.
Elm Family Ulmaceae
American elm..................Ulmus americana L.
Sugarberry...................Celtis laevigato Wild.
Magnolia Family Magnoliaceae
Sweetbay..................Magnolia virginiana L.
Yellow-poplar............. Liriodendron tulipifera L.
Witch hazel Family Hamamelidaceae
Sweetgum...............Liquidambar styracifiua L.
Sycamore Family Platanaceae
American sycamore..........Platanus occidentalis L.
Rose Family Rosaceae
Black cherry.................Prunus serotina Ehrh.
Pulse or Pea Family Leguminosae
Black locust................Robinia pseudoacacia L.
Maple Family Aceraceae
Boxelder ........................ Acer negundo L.
Red maple ........................ Acer rubrum L.
Linden Family Tiliaceae
American basswood...............Tilia americana L.
Tupelo Family Nyssaceae
Black tupelo................. Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.
Water tupelo .................... Nyssa aquatica L.
Olive Family Oleaceae
Green ash.............Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.
APPENDIX IV
County Maps Showing Location
of the
Vegetative Zones
of the
Mountain Forest Habitat Region
Key
a Zone I 
ZoneI E: Zone 
UJ
leia beh....,.. augrldfli hh
m Zone IH
_________ Zone III
Zone V
Zone i
[461
Zone
Zone ix:
WAI
/
FIGURE 51. Calhoun County.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
FIGURE 52. Cherokee County.
[48]
49
CHILTON COUNTY
FIGURE 53., Chilton County.
TALLADEGA COUNTY '
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[51]
CLEBURNE COUNTY
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i-ididiiid s ,i-y iiU1 ii di ti.Apl lit'liii O i, iUIi oybem
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
With an agricultural
research unit in every 
2
major soil area, Auburn 0
University serves the
needs of field crop, live- 4
stock, forestry, and hor-
ticultural producers in
each region in Alabama.
Every citizen of the
State has a stake in 1 1
this research program,
since any advantage
from new and more 15
economical ways of
producing and handling
farm products directly 18
benefits the consuming 19
public. 1U
Research Unit Identification
* Main Agricultural 
Experiment 
Station, Auburn.
1. Tennessee Valley Substation, Belle Mina.
2. Sand Mountain Substation, Crossville.
3. North Alabama Horticulture Substation, Cullman.
4. Upper Coastal Plain Substation, Winfield.
5. Forestry Unit, Fayette County.
6. Thorsby Foundation Seed Stocks Farm, Thorsby.
7. Chilton Area Horticulture Substation, Clanton.
8. Forestry Unit, Coosa County.
9. Piedmont Substation, Camp Hill.
10. Plant Breeding Unit, Tallassee.
11. Forestry Unit, Autauga County.
12. Prattville Experiment Field, Prattville.
13. Black Belt Substation, Marion Junction.
14. Tuskegee Experiment Field, Tuskegee.
15. Lower Coastal Plain Substation, Camden.
16. Forestry Unit, Barbour County.
17. Monroeville Experiment Field, Monroeville.
18. Wiregrass Substation, Headland.
19. Brewton Experiment Field, Brewton.
20. Ornamental Horticulture Field Station, Spring Hill.
21. Gulf Coast Substation, Fairhope.