The understory is predominantly
fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), bitter gallberry (Ilex glabra), and red
bay (Persea borbonia). The canopy of this site is fairly uniform with
heights ranging from 16 m to 21 m, and with leaf area index peaking
at 4.0 ± 0.3 in early July from a minimum of 1.3 ± 0.3 during the
non-growing season (from early November to late March). The
major soil series are poorly drained Pungo and Belhaven mucks.
Dry soil bulk density was estimated at 0.07–0.10 g cm3 when soil
samples were taken during unflooded conditions (Table 1).