Northeastern interior dry–mesic oak forest facts for kids
The northeastern interior dry–mesic oak forest is a special type of forest. You can find it in many states in the eastern United States. These include Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. These forests grow in large areas that are not too high up, usually on flat or gently rolling land.
Trees of the Oak Forest
This forest is named after its many oak trees. The most common types are red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Quercus alba), and black oak (Quercus velutina). But oaks are not the only trees here! You will also find different kinds of hickories (Carya spp.). Other trees include red maple (Acer rubrum) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Look for white ash (Fraxinus americana) and the tall tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). You might also see American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and black cherry (Prunus serotina). Other trees that grow here are black birch (Betula lenta), black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), and American elm (Ulmus americana). A smaller tree often found growing under the taller trees is the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida).
Shrubs and Forest Floor Plants
Shrubs are smaller, bushy plants that grow beneath the trees. In these forests, you can often spot maple-leaved viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium). Other common shrubs are spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). In areas where the soil is sandier or more acidic, you might find different shrubs. These include mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum), and huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata). You might also see swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum). On the forest floor, among the leaves and soil, a common plant is the mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum).
