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 RNA: Walker Cove
State: North Carolina
County: Buncombe
Forest: Pisgah National Forest, National Forests in North Carolina
District: Toecane
Established: 1965, Acres: 55
Click here, to view a searchable map for the Walker Cove RNA
Ecological/Physical Description: Walker Cove is an old growth stand of southern Appalachian hadwoods consisting of a mixture of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and associated species. It is located in the Big Ivy section of the Pisgah NF near Barnardsville, NC on the northeast slope of Walker Ridge.
Physical and Climatic Conditions
Nearest weather station, with distance and direction from RNA:
Annual precipitation (type, seasonal distribution): Average annual rainfall is estimated at 50–60 inches. Average numbers of frost free days for Asheville and Mt. Mitchell are 195 and 128 respectively, with Walker Cove probably more similar to Mt. Mitchell in this respect. Due to the altitude and aspect of the area, snow drifts may remain on the ground for extended periods during the winter.
Maximum and minimum temperatures: None provided. Temperatures around 0 degrees F are not uncommon.
Elevation: 3800 to 4560 feet
Geology and Soils: The rocks are Carolina gneisses, metamorphic rocks of unknown origin. They consist chiefly of mica gneiss and mica-schist; including other gneisses, schists, granite, diorite, and small lenses of marble.
Aquatic Features: no water use potential.
Biological Information
Plant Communities: Cover type sugar maple – beech – yellow birch is a northern hardwood type which occurs in the southern Appalachians at high altitudes and is the only known stand of its type in this area. Said cover type predominates with an admixture of basswood, hemlock, red oak, white ash, black cherry, black birch, Ohio buckeye, cucumber magnolia, and yellow–poplar.
SAF Cover Types (lacres):
Sugar maple – beech – yellow birch
At–Risk Species:
Common Shrub Species:
Common Herbaceous Species:
Common Mammal Species: Deer, bear are rarely found. Occasionally gray squirrel woodchuck, opossum, raccoon, and mind are found.
Common Bird Species: Hawks, raven, possibly crows, eagles, and a variety of songbirds.
Related Reports and Publications:
Additional reports and publications can also be found by clicking on the “RNA Publications and Products” link in the site menu or by clicking here.
Hepting, George H. Sapstreak, a new killing disease of sugar maple. Phytopathology 34:1069–1076. 1944.
Last Modified: 9/29/2015 by Mary Mallinson Long (mmlong@fs.fed.us)
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