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10 <br /> ironwood, and red mulberry. Ground cover and herbaceous <br /> growth consisted of a variety of plants, including <br /> microstegium [a grass], running cedar, downy arrowwood, <br /> japanese honeysuckle, several species of ferns, and a few <br /> plants commonly found in wetlands, such as soh rush and <br /> sedges. Soils in this community type were typically non- <br /> hydric, however. <br /> In some low-lying areas of the tract, there are former <br /> bottomland hardwoods that appear to have undergone <br /> alteration due to beaver activity. In thee areas, large, dead <br /> snags are still present, indicating that the forests were <br /> flooded by beavers several years ago, long enough for the <br /> trees to die and begin to decay. Most of these areas have <br /> been converted to healthy, functioning wetlands. In areas <br /> of contiguous forest, this community type grades into <br /> upland hardwood or upland pine. <br /> There are 63.3 acres of bottomland hardwood forest within <br /> the project boundaries. <br /> Beech Bluff Beech is the dominant, or co-dominant, tree species in this <br /> community type. This community was probably encouraged <br /> by logging activities on the tract, as beeches have little <br /> value as timber, and so are usually left unharvested. As <br /> beeches prefer damp areas, this community is found mostly <br /> on nor-facing slopes and low-lying areas. <br /> The most northern beech bluff on the tract, along the <br /> southeast side of Stoney Creek, contains several very old <br /> trees, including beeches, red and white oaks, tulip poplars, <br /> and hickories. An increment boring of a white oak <br /> indicated that the tree was at least 150 years old. Since <br /> very old oaks, poplars, and hickories can still be found in <br /> the area, it indicates that this stand of trees has not been <br /> harvested for at least 150 years. <br /> The maturity of this stand of trees is rare in the Piedmont. <br /> If this stand of timber is preserved, it could then be used <br /> as a unique natural area or park, along with a section of <br /> Stoney Creek, which runs along the base of the bluff. <br /> Another noticeable area occurs along the east bank of <br /> Stoney Creek. This area contains several large, old cedars <br /> and a dense overstory which grades into more typical <br /> vegetation further uphill. <br /> There are 32.8 acres of beech bluff within the project <br /> boundaries. <br />