Forests

Forest area between Bolivar Heights and the Union Skirmish Line.

NPS photo

Approximately 70% of the park is covered with eastern deciduous forest. Well-drained forest ridges are characterized by chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), black oak (Quercus velutina), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra). Some of the better drained slopes are covered with bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Shrub species common to this area include mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerfolium), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), and American bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia). Some of the most abundant vine species found in the park include greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and wild grape (Vitis spp.).