Appalachian Oak-Pine Forest Habitats
Applachian oak-pine forests
Applachian oak-pine forests occur in southern and central New Hampshire, below 900 feet in elevation, or on dry, rocky ridges at higher elevations. Here, the warmer and drier climates promotes tree species adapted to driers soils. White pine and oak trees dominate the tree canopy.
The presence of tree species typical of southern (Appalachian) states sets this habitat aprt from the more common oak-pine forest type (also called Hemlock-Hardwood-Pine). Look for black, scarlet, chestnut and white oaks, and shagbark and pignut hickories.
Appalachian oak-pine forests, with their abundance of nut-bearing oaks and hickories, provide a rich food source for wildlife such as ruffed grouse, turkey, black bear, squirrels, mice and chipmunks. In turn raptors such as northern goshawk feed on small mammals and find nesting and perching sites in white pines in the tree canopy.
To learn more, read the NH Wildlife Action Plan habitat profile for Appalachian oak-pine forests, including information about the condition and location of this habitat, the threats facing this habitat, and conservation actions recommended by biologists to protect Appalachian oak-pine habitats in New Hampshire.
**NEW** Habitat Stewardship Series Brochure
To learn more about Appalachian oak-pine forests, including tips for recognizing this habitat and ways you can help conserve Appalachian oak pine forests, click here to read and download the Habitat Stewardship Series brochure on Appalachian oak-pine forests.
Wildlife Species Found in Appalachian Oak-Pine Habitats
A great many wildlife species
of conservation concern in New Hampshire depend on Appalachian oak-pine forests. To learn more about each species, click on the link below to read its Wildlife Action Plan profile. Species in bold have their own webpage:
American woodcock
Bald eagle
Black racer
Blanding's turtle
Bobcat
Cerulean warbler
Common nighthawk
Cooper's hawk
Eastern pipistrelle
Eastern red bat
Hognose snake
New England cottontail rabbit
Northern goshawk
Northern myotis
Ribbon snake
Ruffed grouse
Silver-haired bat
Smooth green snake
Timber rattlesnake
Whip-poor-will
