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