Central Appalachian pine–oak rocky woodland facts for kids

The Central Appalachian pine–oak rocky woodland is a special kind of forest system. You can find it in many eastern states like Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. This woodland grows on lower hills, rocky spots, and slopes in the central Appalachian Mountains, the Allegheny Plateau, and the northern Piedmont region.

What Plants Grow Here?

These woodlands often look a bit open, with trees spread out. Two common types of pine trees you'll see are the Pitch pine and the Virginia pine. They often grow alongside different kinds of oak trees. These include the Chestnut oak, Bear oak, Northern red oak, and Scarlet oak.

You might also spot small sprouts of American chestnut trees. In the northeastern parts of this woodland, Eastern red-cedar or Hophornbeam trees can be important.

Underneath the taller trees, some areas have a thick layer of heath shrubs. Other spots might have more grass-like plants, especially where oak trees grow.

Where Does This Woodland Change?

As you travel north, this woodland slowly changes into a different type of forest called the Northern Appalachian-Acadian rocky heath outcrop. In these areas, you'll start to see spruce trees appearing.

If you go south, it changes into the Southern Appalachian montane pine forest and woodland. Here, a tree called Table mountain pine becomes very common.

This woodland is different from the Central Appalachian dry oak–pine forest. The pine–oak rocky woodland has open, treeless areas, while the dry oak–pine forest is a continuous, unbroken forest.