DeciduousF+Botanist

Plants The Deciduous Forest is characterized by 4 layers:a canopy composed of mature trees, a shrub layer of grasses and other herbaceous plants. Deciduous trees mix with species of evergreens. Species such as oak, beech, birch, and maple typify the composition of the temperate broad leafs and mixed Forest. The soil is very fertile,enriched with decaying litter. The canopy is moderately dense and allows light to penetrate resulting in well developed and richly diversified understory vegetation and stratification of animals. The flora is characterized by 3-4 tree species per square kilometer. Trees distinguished by broad leaves that are lost annually and include such species as oak, hickory , beech , hemlock , maple , basswood , cotton wood , elm , willow , and spring herbs.