Tips to Distinguish Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest from Successional Tuliptree Forest (Rich Type) at Rock Creek Park

Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest vs. Successional Tuliptree Forest (Rich Type) at Rock Creek Park

Similarities: Both may have stately, mature tuliptrees in the canopy and sparse Christmas fern in the understory. Both can be found on rolling slopes.

Tips to Distinguish: However, the Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest has more tree-species diversity in the canopy—at least some mature oaks with girth to match the tuliptrees. The Successional Tuliptree Forest (Rich Type) has nothing but tuliptrees in the canopy. American beech and oaks may be rising in the understory, but have not yet caught up to the stature of the older tuliptrees (pioneers after a clearcut).