Piedmont Acidic Oak - Rừng Hickory – CEGL008475

The invasion of acidic oak-hickory forests by mesophytic, fire-intolerant species such as red maple (Acer rubrum), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and American holly (Ilex opaca var. opaca), is the widespread result of long-term fire exclusion since the mid-20th century.  Here, American holly dominates the understory of a stand in Fluvanna County. © Gary P. Fleming