Nantahala Mountains Conservation Area Nantahala Mountains Ash Cove Cheoah Bald Tusquitee Bald Boteler Peak Southern Extensions Tellico Bald Wesser Bald Piercy Mountain Range Siler Bald Proposed Midsize Protection Areas: Briertown Mountain Foster Knob Rock Cove Knob Download this Map Nantahala Mountains Conservation Area 2.5 mb pdf file Briertown Mountain Approximate size: 1,917 acres Old growth acreage: 986 In addition to the 986 acres if old growth, this unit contains one candidate old growth site. Briertown Mountain is also included in the North Carolina Natural Heritage Listing. The Forest Communities include: Rich Cove (low elevation), Basic Mesic Forest, Mesic Oak, Dry Oak, and Dry Oak-Pine. Mixed Riverine forest is present along the Nantahala River, with varying degrees of human and beaver disturbance. Numerous sizable American sycamore and American beech trees stand along the river. The largest slippery elm tree the Western North Carolina Alliance found in its old growth survey-40 inches in diameter-stands next to the river in this unit. Rich Cove and Acidic Cove forests are also present in riverine environments. A vein of marble crosses underneath the Nantahala River, and black walnut trees were found on the banks of the river near this vein. Blowing Springs is a Special Interest Area. The substrate in this immediate area is marble, and numerous rare herb species are present. The Swain County listing of the rare synandra (Synandra hispidula) may be in the Blowing Springs area. Ted Snyder has found live American chestnut trees on the main ridge of Briertown Mountain, some bearing seed. Upland sections of this mountain have a meta-siltstone substrate. This forms a planed rock that breaks off in pieces and is difficult to traverse. Soils in this upland area are quick draining, and forest communities are much dryer. to Top of Page >> Foster Knob Approximate size: 1,674 acres Old growth acreage: 234 acres Foster Knob contains a partial Forest Service Large Old Growth Patch and three candidate old growth sites. Surveyors round a 103-inch tulip poplar in Cherry Cove. It stood 122 feet tall, even with a broken crown. Rare plant communities may be associated with steep northeast and northwest facing slopes on the Foster Knob massif. A rich herb community is located in the cove where the Waslik poplar resides. to Top of Page >> Rocky Cove Knob Approximate size: 732 acres Old growth acreage: 84 acres Rock Cove Knob contains a partial Forest Service Large Old Growth Patch and one candidate old growth site. The forest communities for the area are: Rich Cove (second generation), Hemlock-Northern Hardwood, Dry Oak, and a unique knob (or summit) community. The east side of Rocky Cove Knob (near 4,500 feet in elevation) has a unique mix of conditions. Rich Cove (or Northern Hardwood) tree species are present at the top of slopes facing northeast. This community mingles with Dry Oak forest (found in abundance nearby) and rock outcrop environments. Mature hawthorn, native sedges, and unusual herbs were present in rock outcrop environments on the knob. The canopy was frequently dominated by white oak and black oak on the knob. Surveys found white oaks in the 250 to 300 year range in Dry Oak forests. Some chestnut oaks are likely this old or older. Black bear scat was frequently spotted at this site indicating it is quality bear habitat. to Top of Page >>

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