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communities, and encoura�e invasion by non-native plants. European buckthorn and Tartarian
<br />honeysuckle are problem nonnative species that often invade dry oak communities.
<br />Mesic Oak Forest - Canopy trees are typically taller and straighter in mesic oak forest than in dry
<br />forests, and northezn pin oak is replaced by red oak in the canopy. Large, sing�e-stemmed trees
<br />tnare than 15 inches in diameter are common, with a variety of woody plants at all heights, and a
<br />mixed ground layer of tree seedlings, grasses, and flowers. Common tree species inclucle white,
<br />red and bur oak, and basswood. Tronwood, bitternut hickory, black cherry, and hackberry are
<br />typically infrequent in the canopy, but tend ta be cornmon in the subcanopy.
<br />Shrubs may include chokccherry, downy arrowwood, pagoda and siiky dogwood, and other
<br />fruiting shrubs. The grQUnd layer frequently includes wild grape, Virginia creeper, wild
<br />geranium, blac3c snakeroot and a variety of ferns and spring ephemerals, such as sharp-lobed
<br />hepatica_
<br />Animals are typicaf of those found in other oak communities, including songbirds, flycatchers,
<br />bluejays, chipmunk, squirrels, white-tail deer, and a variety of frogs and American toads. Past
<br />loggin� and grazing may have rerx�oved canopy trees, shifting species composition and reducing
<br />diversity in ground flora. Buckthorn and Tartarian honeysuckle are cort�mon invaders in oak
<br />communities, and oak wilt may spread in disturbed stands, particularly in areas of active
<br />construction.
<br />Oak Woodland-Brushland - Oak woodlanc� communities are characterized by having a canopy
<br />that va�ies forzn sparse to r�early closed. They are dominated by open-grown bur, whitc, and pin
<br />oaks, often with a pranounced shrub layer containing youn� oaks and s�rubs. The ground layer
<br />incIudes herbs and other woody plaz�ts characteristic of both dry oak forests and prairie
<br />communities. Fire scars may be evident on older trees. Common shrubs include hazeinut,
<br />leadplant, gray do�wood, and other berry or nut producing shrubs. Common ground cover in
<br />oak woodlands include various prairic and woodland edge grasses, purple giant hyssop, hog
<br />peanut, bracken fern, pointee�-leaf tick trefoil, satin grass, lily-leaved twayblade orchid, and
<br />woodland s��nflowers.
<br />Animals include mournin� dove, catbird, indigo bunting, squirrels, coyotes, and white-tail deer.
<br />These communities have often been dejraded by overgrazing and soil compaction. These
<br />activities Iead to invasion by exotic species such as Kentucky bluegrass, Eum�ea� b�:ckthorn,
<br />Ciry of Roseville 14
<br />Parks Ncrtrrral Resottrce Maiiagentejtt
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