Southern Appalachian Catawba Rhododendron Heath Bald – CEGL003818

Rock promontories on Wilburn Ridge in both Grayson Highlands State Park and the National Forest (elevation range 4900 to 5500 ft.) support distinctive shrublands that are likely maintained by extremely shallow, rocky soils and climatic stresses such as extreme winter temperatures, wind, and ice. Small red spruce (Picea rubens) and Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) trees are sometimes scattered among the shrubs, but tree recruitment appears to be very slow and sparse.  Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.