SITE NAME: Proctor tract – Wake County open space
PARTICIPANTS: Harry LeGrand and Scott Pohlman (both NC Natural Heritage Program),
Deborah Robertson (Wake County Parks and Recreation)
DATE: June 11, 2014
LOCATION: Wake County; located between Riley Hill Road (SR 2320) on the north, and Doc
Proctor Road (SR 2325) on the south, from about 0.22-mile west of Lizard Lick Road (SR 2329) to
about 1.0 mile west of this road. The area surveyed lies completely north of an east-west creek
though the center of the tract.
OWNERSHIP: Wake County. Originally in the Proctor family ownership, but only in the past
year has the tract been acquired by the county. It will become a county park, apparently with only
limited activities and few or no facilities.
PURPOSE OF VISIT: To do an initial biological survey of the tract, such as identifying natural
communities and looking for rare species.
OBSERVATIONS: (see map)
We entered the tract at the northwestern corner, and then worked generally southward along the
gentle slopes to the floodplain, then turned east, weaving between the edge of the floodplain and
mid-slopes, until we came to a sunny and open area dominated by marsh vegetation. At that point,
we headed NNE back toward the road, and we hit the road near the northeastern corner of the tract.
We walked the road margin back to the car, looking for “roadbank” plants along this 0.9-mile road
frontage.
Essentially all of the tract north of the floodplain is middle-aged, with loblolly pines (Pinus taeda)
in the 80-90’ tall canopy. Fortunately, over much of the uplands, the hardwoods growing beneath
the pines have begun to reach the canopy, so that most of the uplands are now a mixed
pine-hardwood stand, with many of the hardwoods – generally oaks – now also up to 80-90’ tall.
On much of the lower slopes, the pines are younger –often just 30’ tall, likely a pine plantation that
shows on aerial photos. In this pine zone, the hardwoods are just getting established and are mainly
also 20-30’ tall. The floodplain has a number of glady openings, but unfortunately these openings
are covered in dense stands of Microstegium vimineum.
The site has a very large extent of Dry Oak—Hickory Forest (Piedmont subtype), a widespread
natural community in the region, but most examples are small (under 10 acres) and are limited to
ridgetops. This example, seemingly split by a slight drain, covers roughly 70 acres, as measured
by GIS mapping. Thus, this might be one of the larger examples of this community in the eastern
Piedmont, even though it has not yet reached maturity.
The Dry Oak-Hickory Forest is dominated in the canopy by loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), but many
oaks are also in the canopy, especially white oak (Quercus alba). Other common canopy trees are
black oak (Q. velutina) and southern red oak (Q. falcata); post oak (Q. stellata) is fairly common.
The understory is moderate in density, with considerable blackjack oak (Q. marilandica); also
numerous are sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica). The tall shrub
zone is sparse, and one can see many dozens of yards through the forest. This might be normal for
this community, as opposed to deer browse. However, locally dense patches of low shrubs are
present, mainly ericads such as early lowbush blueberry (Vaccinum pallidum) and dangleberry
(Gaylussacia frondosa). Despite the layer not being dense in most areas, there is a fairly high
diversity of shrubs in the community. The herb layer, however, is lacking in many areas, and are
mainly various grasses, with very few forbs present.
There is a slight seepage area along one of the westernmost draws, and this area – despite being
under a canopy of young loblolly pines, has several Coastal Plain species. This is a poor example
of Piedmont Boggy Streamhead natural community. Notable species there are sweetbay
(Magnolia virginiana), titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), bamboo-vine (Smilax laurifolia), and waxmyrtle
(Myrica cerifera). Other characteristic species of this small community are wild raisin
(Viburnum nudum), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea), and
cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea).
The wetland along the creek had little of interest, though near the eastern end the area is open and
sunny, with heavy mud depositions, perhaps the remant of a beaver pond that is filling in. Cattail
(Typha latifolia) is present. This area needs further survey work, especially to see if a pond is
present.
The other notable feature is the long stretch of dry roadbanks along Riley Hill Road. This area
has a moderate diversity of herbs and shrubs, and large areas are covered in various blueberries,
such as small black blueberry (V. tenellum) and deerberry (V. stamineum). Of most significance
is a large population of the globally uncommon sandhill St. John’s-wort (Hypericum lloydii). This
subshrub is present in the hundreds, and might be one of the larger populations anywhere.
PLANTS NOTED:
DOH = Dry Oak—Hickory Forest
PBS = Piedmont Boggy Streamhead
F = Floodplain
RB = roadbank
Canopy
Acer rubrum
Carya glabra
Carya pallida
Carya tomentosa
Juglans nigra
Liquidambar styraciflua
Liriodendron tulipifera
Pinus echinata
Pinus taeda
Quercus alba
Quercus falcata
DOH, F
DOH
DOH
DOH
RB
DOH
DOH, F
DOH
DOH, PBS
DOH
DOH
common in wetlands, numerous in uplands
numerous; most common of the hickories
a few seen; locally uncommon in region
not common, and mostly not mature yet
only one seen, a sapling on the roadbank
not numerous, and no large trees seen
scattered, few truly mature ones
only 1-2 seen, but mature
dominant
dominant hardwood species
numerous
Quercus michauxii
Quercus stellata
Quercus velutina
Ulmus americana
W
DOH
DOH
W
scattered, with a few mature trees present
scattered
common
only a few
Understory
Amelanchier sp.
Aralia spinosa
Carpinus caroliniana
Cornus florida
Cyrilla racemiflora
Diospyros virginiana
Fraxinus americana
Ilex opaca
Juniperus virginiana
Magnolia virginiana
Morus rubra
Myrica cerifera
Nyssa sylvatica
Oxydendrum arboreum
Prunus serotina
Quercus marilandica
Quercus nigra
Quercus phellos
Sassafras albidum
Ulmus alata
RB
RB
PBS, W
DOH
PBS
DOH
DOH, PBS
DOH
DOH
PBS
DOH
PBS
DOH
DOH
DOH
DOH
DOH
DOH, W
DOH, RB
DOH
one sapling at edge of woods; probably A. arborea
a few seedlings
numerous
rather common, but few mature ones yet
a few small trees; locally rare in region
common, mostly saplings
a few saplings; no tree-sized ones seen
fairly common
scattered
scattered; a few to 30’ tall; locally scarce
only 1-2
a few
common
common
scattered small trees
not uncommon
scattered; very few mature trees yet
scattered seedlings; mature trees not seen
scattered, mainly on road bank
only a few; surprisingly scarce
Shrub Layer
Alnus serrulata
Arundinaria gigantea
Asimina parviflora
Baccharis halimifolia
Callicarpa americana
Corylus americana
Euonymusa americanus
Gaylussacia frondosa
Hypericum hypericoides
Hypericum lloydii
Ilex decidua
Ilex verticillata
Lyonia mariana
Rhus copallina
Rosa carolina
Rubus cuneifolius
Rubus sp.
Sorbus arbutifolia
PBS, W
a few
PBS, W
moderate stand in one seep area
DOH
a few
RB
one seedling seen
DOH
scattered
PBS, W
a few
DOH
a few
DOH, PBS
a handful of large and dense stands
DOH
a few
RB
common; hundreds, in early bud; locally scarce
DOH
only a few seen
DOH, PBS, W scattered, mainly in seeps
DOH, RB
scattered
DOH, RB
scattered, mainly on road bank
DOH
a few
RB
a few
RB
a few
PBS
1-2 seen
Vaccinium arboreum
Vaccinium atrococcum
Vaccinium tenellum
Vaccinium pallidum
Vaccinium stamineum
Viburnum dentatum
Viburnum nudum
Viburnum prunifolium
DOH, RB
DOH
DOH, RB
DOH, RB
RB
PBS, W
PBS
DOH
only a few; not as many as expected
fairly common
numerous, and very common on bank
common in woods and on bank
locally common; not seen in forest
scattered
scattered seedlings only
only one seen
Vines
Bignonia capreloata
Campsis radicans
Clitoria mariana
Dioscorea villosa
Gelsemium sempervirens
Mikania scandens
Parthenocissus quinquefolius
Smilax laurifolia
Smilax rotundifolia
Toxicodendron radicans
Trachelospermum difforme
Vitis rotundifolia
W
only 1 vine seen
DOH, W
scattered
DOH, RB
scattered
DOH, PBS, W scattered
DOH
scattered
W
one seen
DOH
scattered
PBS
a few; locally rare in Piedmont
DOH, PBS, W abundant in lower portions of the tract
DOH, F, RB abundant locally on bank; infrequent elsewhere
DOH, PBS, W scattered
DOH, RB
common
Herb Layer
Antennaria sp.
Asclepias amplexicaulis
Asclepias tuberosa
Athyrium asplenioides
Boehmeria cylindrica
Botrychium virginianum
Carex intumescens
Chasmanthium laxum
Chimaphila maculata
Cypripedium acaule
Danthonia spicata
Dichanthelium polyanthes
Dichanthelium spp.
Elephantopus tomentosus
Eupatorium capillifolium
Eupatorium hyssopifolium
Eupatorium rotundifolium
Euphorbia corollata
Galium uniflorum
Goodyera pubescens
Lactuca canadensis
Lechea sp.
RB
RB
DOH
W
PBS, W
DOH
PBS
DOH
DOH
DOH, RB
DOH, RB
DOH
DOH
DOH, RB
RB
RB
RB
RB
DOH
DOH
RB
RB
a few
one seen
only one plant seen
locally common
fairly common
a few seen in mesic areas
a few, in fruit
scattered
fairly common
fairly common, mostly near road
scattered
scattered
scattered
common
scattered
a few
a few
a few, in bloom
a few in mesic areas
a few in mesic areas
one seen
a few
Lespedeza intermedia
Lycopodium flabelliforme
Lycopus sp.
Microstegium vimineum
Mitchella repens
Murdannia nudiflora
Osmunda cinnamomea
Osmunda regalis
Oxalis sp.
Parthenium integrifolium
Peltandra virginica
Penstemon laevigatus
Polystichum acrostichoides
Potentilla canadensis
Pteridium aquilinum
Sanicula canadensis
Saururus cernuus
Scutellaria integrifolia
Sericocarpus asteroides
Silphium compositum
Sisyrinchium sp.
Solidago petiolaris
Solidago pinetorum
Sphagnum sp.
Stylosanthes biflora
Tephrosia virginiana
Thelypteris noveboracensis
Typha latifolia
Viola sp.
Woodwardia areolata
Yucca filamentosa
DOH, RB
scattered
PBS
one small patch seen
W
one seen
W
exotic; locally dominant in some low grounds
DOH, PBS
locally common
W
exotic; locally dense in creek margins
DOH, PBS, W mainly in seeps
W
in marsh
DOH
a few in mesic areas
RB
scattered; in bloom
W
scattered in marshes and mud
RB
a few, in bloom
DOH, W
a few small stands
DOH, RB
a few
DOH
scattered
W
one seen
W
common in muddy areas
DOH, RB
scattered; one of the few species seen in bloom
RB
fairly common; early bloom
RB
a few
DOH, RB
a few
RB
a few
RB
numerous
PBS
one or two patches in seeps
RB
fairly common, in bloom
RB
common; in bloom
W
one stand seen
W
locally dense in marsh
W
a few
PBS, W
several moderate stands
RB
one seen; native here?
ANIMALS NOTED:
Mammals
White-tailed Deer
Raccoon
E. Gray Squirrel
scat
tracks
leaf nest
Birds
Turkey Vulture
Black Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Downy Woodpecker
high overhead
high overhead
Pileated Woodpecker?
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Blue Jay
American Crow
Brown Thrasher
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Northern Parula
Pine Warbler
Ovenbird
Hooded Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Eastern Towhee
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Herps
Spring Peeper
Northern Cricket Frog
Green Frog
very low, loud drumming heard
overhead
only one heard
3-4 singing birds
marsh
marsh edge
forest edges
common sound from marsh
Butterflies
E. Tiger Swallowtail
E. Tailed-Blue
Red-spotted Purple
Horace’s Duskywing
Odonates
Common Whitetail
Great Blue Skimmer
Eastern Pondhawk
Ebony Jewelwing
marsh edge
very common near creek
CONCLUSIONS: The Dry Oak-Hickory Forest is significant because of its large extent, though
it is not yet fully mature. The seepage area with the Piedmont Boggy Streamhead is notable, and
others could certainly be present. No natural area is being identified by the NC Natural Heritage
Program, however, as the vegetation is not yet mature. Further field work is certainly needed, as
the southern 60% of the tract was not surveyed, and further exploration of the wetland at the
eastern edge of the tract is warranted, as are more surveys of the road banks.
Harry LeGrand
N.C. Natural Heritage Program
June 12, 2014