The Garden Mountain Cluster is a region in the

Jefferson National Forest The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests is an administrative entity combining two U.S. National Forests into one of the largest areas of public land in the Eastern United States. The forests cover of land in the Appalachian Moun ...

recognized by The Wilderness Society for its diversity of habitats extending along the east, south and west of

Burke's Garden Burke's Garden is an upland valley and unincorporated community in Tazewell County, Virginia, United States. It is surrounded by the Garden Mountain Cluster, wild areas in the national forest recognized by the Wilderness Society as "Mountain T ...

. The cluster, part of the

Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, are a mountain range in eastern to northeastern North America. The term "Appalachian" refers to several different regions associated with the mountain range, and its surrounding terrain ...

in southwest Virginia, connects wildlands in the high country of Garden Mountain and adjacent streams and ridges in one of the most remote areas of Virginia.

Description

The Garden Mountain Cluster contains seven wildlands with different degrees of protection: wilderness areas, a study area and two areas recognized by the Wilderness Society as "Mountain Treasures", areas that are worthy of protection from logging and road construction. The areas in the cluster are: *Wilderness Areas ** Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness ** Garden Mountain Wilderness ** Beartown Wilderness *Study Areas ** Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area *Wild areas recognized by the Wilderness Society as "Mountain Treasures" ** Beartown Wilderness Addition A ** Beartown Wilderness Addition B

Location and access

The cluster extends around the western, southern and eastern sides of Burke's Garden. VA 16, on the southern side, and VA 42, on the eastern side, intersect with roads leading into the cluster. Access from Burke's Garden is somewhat restricted because of the steep rise of the slopes around the bowl forming the garden. The

Appalachian Trail The Appalachian Trail, also called the A.T., is a hiking trail in the Eastern United States, extending almost between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, and passing through 14 states.Gailey, Chris (2006)"Appalachian Tra ...

passes through the full length of the cluster for 26.6 miles. From north to south, the trail crosses Va 615, Suiter Road, to enter the cluster at Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness. The trail climbs Brushy Mountain, then descends to cross Hunting Camp Creek, passes by Jenkins Shelter, climbs Garden Mountain, continues along the ridge of Garden Mountain with views of Burke's Garden, passes by Davis Farm Campsite, and crosses Va 623. The trail then enters Garden Mountain Wilderness continuing along the ridge of Garden Mountain. After leaving Garden Mountain Wilderness, the trail passes by Chestnut Ridge Shelter, goes along the boundary of Beartown Wilderness then turns south, descends through Beartown Wilderness Addition B, crosses USFS road 222, Poor Valley Road, to reach Lick Creek. Now the trail enters Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area, crosses over Lynn Camp Mountain reaching Lynn Camp Creek, then ascends Brushy Mountain passing Knot Maul Branch Shelter before descending to VA 42 to exit the cluster at the boundary of the wilderness study area. Roads and trails in the cluster are shown on National Geographic Map 787 (Blacksburg, New River Valley). A great variety of information, including topographic maps, aerial views, satellite data and weather information, is obtained by selecting the link with the wild land's coordinates in the upper right of this page.

Biological significance

The land form, climate, soils and geology of the Appalachian highlands, as well as its evolutionary history, have created one of the most diverse collection of plants and animals in the deciduous forests of the temperate world. The cluster's large tract of land supports species, such as black bear and some bird species, that require extensive tracts of unbroken forest for survival. The cluster provides habitat and watershed for species that are critically imperiled (G1), imperiled (G2) or vulnerable (G3), as indicated by their

NatureServe conservation status The NatureServe conservation status system, maintained and presented by NatureServe in cooperation with the Natural Heritage Network, was developed in the United States in the 1980s by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) as a means for ranking or categor ...

. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program gives a list of these species for the counties included in the cluster, Bland, Smyth and Wythe. Among these are:

Animals

Mammals: *Indiana bat, ''

Myotis sodalis The Indiana bat (''Myotis sodalis'') is a medium-sized mouse-eared bat native to North America. It lives primarily in Southern and Midwestern U.S. states and is listed as an endangered species. The Indiana bat is grey, black, or chestnut in colo ...

'', G2 *Northern long-eared myotis, ''

Myotis septentrionalis ''Myotis septentrionalis'', known as the northern long-eared bat or northern myotis, is a species of bat native to North America. There are no recognized subspecies. The northern long-eared bat is about 3–3.7 inches in length, with a wingspan ...

'', G1, G2 *Virginia big-eared bat, ''

Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus The Virginia big-eared bat (''Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus'') is one of two endangered subspecies of the Townsend's big-eared bat. It is found in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. In 1979, the US Fish and Wildlife Ser ...

'', G3, G4, T2 Amphibians: *Hellbender, ''

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis The hellbender (''Cryptobranchus alleganiensis''), also known as the hellbender salamander, is a species of aquatic giant salamander endemic to the eastern and central United States. It is the largest salamander in North America. A member of the ...

'', G3, G4 *Northern pygmy salamander, '' Desmognathus organi'', G3 *Weller's salamander, '' Plethodon welleri'', G3 Fish: *Blotchside logperch, ''

Percina burtoni ''Percina burtoni'', the blotchside logperch or blotchside darter, is a small, endangered species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes an ...

'', G2, G3 *Bluestone sculpin, '' Cottus'', G2 *Candy darter, ''

Etheostoma osburni ''Etheostoma osburni'', the candy darter or finescale saddled darter, is a species of fish in the family Percidae, a member of the group known as darter (fish), darters. This species is Endemism, endemic to the eastern United States where it is k ...

'', G3 *Clinch dace, ''

Chrosomus ''Chrosomus'' is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, chubs and related fishes. The fishes in this genus are found in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. These fishes ...

'', G1 *Clinch sculpin, ''Cottus'', G1, G2 *Ohio lamprey, ''

Ichthyomyzon bdellium The Ohio lamprey (''Ichthyomyzon bdellium'') is a lamprey found in the Ohio River drainage basin in the United States and is a parasitic species of lampreys. They are considered to be an endangered/rare species in some states, due to siltation, ...

'', G3, G4 *Popeye shiner, '' Notropis ariommus'', G3 *Sickle darter, '' Percina williamsi'', G2 *Tennessee dace, '' Chrosomus tennesseensis'', G3 *Turquoise shiner, '' Erimonax monachus'', G2 *Yellowfin madtom, ''

Noturus flavipinnis The yellowfin madtom (''Noturus flavipinnis'') is a species of fish in the family Ictaluridae endemic to the southeastern United States. Historically, the yellowfin madtom was widespread throughout the upper Tennessee River drainage but was thoug ...

'', G1 Annelida (segmented worms): *A cave lumbriculid worm, '' Stylodrilus beattiei'', G2, G3 Arachnida (spiders and pseudoscorpions): *A cave pseudoscorpion, '' Kleptochthonius'', G1 *A cave pseudoscorpion, '' Kleptochthonius regulus'', G1, G2 *Spruce-fir moss spider, ''

Microhexura montivaga ''Microhexura'' is a genus of tiny North American spiders that was first described by C. R. Crosby & S. C. Bishop in 1925. It is the only genus in the family Microhexuridae. , it contained only two species, both found in the United States: '' M. ...

'', G1 Bivalvia (mussels): *Cumberland bean, ''

Villosa trabalis ''Villosa trabalis'', the Cumberland bean pearly mussel, Cumberland bean, or purple bean, is a species of freshwater mussel, an Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae. This species is Endemism, endemic to the United Stat ...

'', G1 *Fine-rayed pigtoe, '' Fusconaia cuneolus'', G1 *Fluted kidneyshell, '' Ptychobranchus subtentum'', G2 *Green floater, '' Lasmigona subviridis'', G3 *Little-winged pearlymussel, '' Pegias fabula'', G1 *Oyster mussel, ''

Epioblasma capsaeformis The oyster mussel (''Epioblasma capsaeformis'') is a rare species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. This aquatic bivalve mollusk is native to the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia in ...

'', G1 *Purple bean, ''

Villosa perpurpurea ''Villosa perpurpurea'', the purple bean, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species is endemic to the United States. Its natural habitat is rivers. It is threatened b ...

'', G1 *Purple liliput, '' Toxolasma lividum'', G3Q *Rough rabbitsfoot, ''

Theliderma cylindrica The rabbitsfoot (''Theliderma cylindrica'') is a species of freshwater mussel. It is an aquatic bivalve mollusk, in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species is native to the United States, where it is widespread in the drainages of ...

'', G3, G4 *Shiny pigtoe, '' Fusconaia cor'', G1 *Slabside pearlymussel, '' Pleuronaia dolabelloides'', G2 *Spectaclecase, '' Margaritifera monodonta'', G3 *Tan riffleshell, ''

Epioblasma florentina ''Epioblasma'' is a North American genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Most of the species in this genus have been lost in modern times, and the entire genus is threatened with the pos ...

aureola'', G1 *Tennessee clubshell, '' Pleurobema oviforme'', G2, G3 *Tennessee heelsplitter, '' Lasmigona holstonia'', G3 *Tennessee pigtoe, '' Pleuronaia barnesiana'', G2, G3 Crustacea (amphipods, isopods and decapods): *A groundwater amphipod, ''Stygobromus'', G2, G3 *Incurved cave isopod, ''Caecidotea incurva">Stygobromus">G2, G3 Crustacea (amphipods, isopods and decapods): *A groundwater amphipod, ''Stygobromus'', G2, G3 *Incurved cave isopod, ''Caecidotea incurva'', G2, G4 *Tug Valley crayfish, ''Cambarus hatfieldi'', GNR Gastropoda (snails): *Spiny riversnail, ''Io fluvialis'', G2 Turbellaria (flatworms): *A cave planarian, ''Geocentrophora cavernicola'', G1, G2 *Chandler's planarian, ''Sphalloplana chandleri'', G1, G2 Coleoptera (beetles): *Burkes Garden cave beetle, '' Pseudanophthalmus hortulanus'', G1 *Hoffman's cave beetle, '' Pseudanophthalmus hoffmani'', G2, G3 *Maiden Spring cave beetle, '' Pseudanophthalmus virginicus'', G1 *Vicariant cave beetle, '' Pseudanophthalmus vicarius'', G2, G3 Diplopoda (millipedes): *A millipede, '' Cleidogona lachesis'', G2 *A millipede, '' Pseudotremia momus'', G2 *A millipede, '' Dixioria pela'', G2, T2 *A millipede, '' Dixioria fowleri'', G2 *A millipede, '' Pseudotremia tuberculata'', G2, G3 *A millipede, '' Appalachioria separanda hamata'', G3, T2 *Armes' rough-backed millipede, '' Pseudotremia armesi'', G2 *Big Cedar Creek millipede, '' Appalachioria falcifera'', G1 *Hoffman's cleidogonid millipede, '' Cleidogona hoffmani'', G3 Diplura (diplurans): *A cave dipluran (Ward Cove), ''

Litocampa ''Litocampa'' is a genus of two-pronged bristletails in the family Campodeidae. There are at least 20 described species in ''Litocampa''. Species These 22 species belong to the genus ''Litocampa'': * ''Litocampa bourgoini'' (Condé, 1948) * ''L ...

'', G1 Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths): *Regal fritillary, ''

Speyeria idalia The regal fritillary (''Speyeria idalia'') is a striking nymphalid butterfly found among some of the remaining tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies in the east-central United States. This prairie-specialist butterfly has a characteristic deep oran ...

'', G3 Mecoptera (scorpionflies): *Jefferson's short-nosed scorpionfly, '' Brachypanorpa jeffersoni'', G2 Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies): *Skillet clubtail, '' Gomphus ventricosus'', G3 Plecoptera (stoneflies): *Big stripetail stonefly, '' Isoperla major'', G1 *Cryptic willowfly, '' Taeniopteryx nelsoni'', G1 *Smokies needlefly, ''

Megaleuctra williamsae ''Megaleuctra'' is a genus of rolled-winged stoneflies in the family Leuctridae. There are about seven described species in ''Megaleuctra''. Species These seven species belong to the genus ''Megaleuctra'': * ''Megaleuctra complicata'' Claassen, ...

'', G2 *Virginia stonefly, '' Acroneuria kosztarabi'', G1, G2

Plants

Non-vascular plants: *A liverwort, '' Marsupella paroica'', G3 *A liverwort, '' Bazzania nudicaulis'', G2, G3 *A moss, '' Oncophorus raui'', G3 *Horsehair threadwort, '' Sphenolobopsis pearsonii'', G2? *Rock gnome lichen, ''

Cetradonia linearis ''Cetradonia'' is a lichen genus in the family Cladoniaceae. A monotypic genus, ''Cetradonia'' contains the single species ''Cetradonia linearis'' (formerly known as ''Cladonia linearis'' and as ''Gymnoderma lineare''). The genus was circumscri ...

'', G3 *Sullivant's leafy liverwort, '' Plagiochila sullivantii'', G2 *A lichen, '' Punctelia graminicola'', GNR Vascular plants: *Appalachian black cohosh, '' Actaea rubifolia'', G3 *Basil mountain-mint, ''

Pycnanthemum clinopodioides ''Pycnanthemum'' is a genus of herbaceous plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Species in this genus are often referred to as "mountain mints" and they often have a minty or thyme-like aroma when crushed. All species of ''Pycnanthemum'' are ...

'', G1, G2 *Blue Ridge purple sedge, ''

Carex manhartii ''Carex'' is a vast genus of over 2,000 species of grass-like plants in the family Cyperaceae, commonly known as sedges (or seg, in older books). Other members of the family Cyperaceae are also called sedges, however those of genus ''Carex'' may ...

'', G3, G4 *Bog bluegrass, '' Poa paludigena'', G3 *Box huckleberry, ''

Gaylussacia brachycera ''Gaylussacia brachycera'', commonly known as box huckleberry or box-leaved whortleberry, is a low North American shrub related to the blueberry and the other huckleberries. It is native to the east-central United States (Pennsylvania, Delaware, ...

'', G3 *Canby's mountain-lover, ''

Paxistima canbyi ''Paxistima canbyi'' is a species of small broadleaf evergreen shrub or groundcover that is usually about high, but can grow up to almost high. It is in the family Celastraceae, and is known by the common names of Canby's mountain-lover, rat- ...

'', G2 *Carey's saxifrage, '' Micranthes careyana'', G3 *Fraser fir, ''

Abies fraseri The Fraser fir (''Abies fraseri''), sometimes spelled Frasier fir, is an endangered species of fir native to the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. They are endemic to only seven montane regions in the Appalachian Mountain ...

'', G2 *Glade spurge, ''

Euphorbia purpurea ''Euphorbia purpurea'' is a species of ''Euphorbia'' known by the common names Darlington's glade spurge, glade spurge, and purple spurge. It is native to the Eastern United States, where it occurs from Ohio and Pennsylvania south to North Caroli ...

'', G3 *Gray's lily, ''

Lilium grayi ''Lilium grayi'' (Gray's lily, orange bell lily, Roan lily) is a perennial plant that is endemic to the eastern US states of North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, growing in moist, acid soil in the Appalachian Mountains on higher elevation mea ...

'', G3 *Large-leaved grass-of-parnassus, ''

Parnassia grandifolia ''Parnassia grandifolia'', also known as bigleaf grass of Parnassus, is a flowering herbaceous plant of the family Celastraceae. It is native to the southeastern United States, where it has a spotty distribution. Its primary habitat is open wet ...

'', G3 *Long-stalked holly, '' Ilex collina'', G3 *Mountain bittercress, ''

Cardamine clematitis ''Cardamine'' is a large genus of flowering plants in the mustard family, Brassicaceae, known as bittercresses and toothworts. It contains more than 200 species of annuals and perennials. Species in this genus can be found in diverse habitats w ...

'', G3 *Piratebush, ''

Buckleya distichophylla ''Buckleya distichophylla'', commonly called piratebush, is a flowering plant in the family Santalaceae, native to the Southern United States. It is a rare plant, found only in sporadic mountainous areas of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia ...

'', G3 *Roan Mountain sedge, '' Carex roanensis'', G2, G3 *Tennessee pondweed, '' Potamogeton tennesseensis'', G2, G3 *Torrey's mountainmint, ''

Pycnanthemum torreyi ''Pycnanthemum torreyi'', common name Torrey's mountainmint, is a perennial plant native to the United States. Conservation status in the United States It is listed as endangered in Connecticut,Betula lenta ''Betula lenta'' (sweet birch, also known as black birch, cherry birch, mahogany birch, or spice birch) is a species of birch native to eastern North America. Description ''Betula lenta'' is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching tall, except ...

'' var. ''uber'', G1Q

Natural communities

Plant communities A plant community is a collection or Association (ecology), association of plant species within a designated geographical unit, which forms a relatively uniform patch, distinguishable from neighboring patches of different vegetation types. The comp ...

include: *Terrestrial, high elevation forests, grasslands, and rock outcrops
Mount Rogers - Spruce-Fir Forest

** Spruce and fir forests ***Southern Appalachian red spruce forest (deciduous shrub type)
''

Picea rubens ''Picea rubens'', commonly known as red spruce, is a species of spruce native to eastern North America, ranging from eastern Quebec and Nova Scotia, west to the Adirondack Mountains and south through New England along the Appalachians to western ...

'' / '' Viburnum lantanoides'' - ''

Vaccinium erythrocarpum ''Vaccinium erythrocarpum'', commonly known as southern mountain cranberry or bearberry, more rarely as mountain blueberry or dingleberry, is a deciduous flowering shrub native to the Southeastern United States. Description ''Vaccinium erythroca ...

'' / ''

Huperzia lucidula ''Huperzia lucidula'' (also called the shining firmoss or shining clubmoss) is a bright, evergreen, rhizomatous clubmoss of the genus ''Huperzia''. They grow in loose tufts 14–20 cm long, occasionally up to 1 m long. The leaves are 7–1 ...

'' - ''

Clintonia borealis ''Clintonia borealis'' is a species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae. The specific epithet ''borealis'' means "of the north," which alludes to the fact that the species tends to thrive in the boreal forests of eastern Canada and ...

'' forest, G2 ***Southern Appalachian red spruce forest (evergreen shrub type)
''

'' - (''

'') / (''

Rhododendron catawbiense ''Rhododendron catawbiense'', with common names Catawba rosebay, Catawba rhododendron, mountain rosebay, purple ivy, purple laurel, purple rhododendron, red laurel, rosebay, rosebay laurel, is a species of ''Rhododendron'' native to the eastern ...

'', ''

Rhododendron maximum ''Rhododendron maximum'' is a species of ''Rhododendron'' native to the Appalachians of eastern North America, from Alabama north to coastal Nova Scotia. Its common names include great laurel, great rhododendron, rosebay rhododendron, American rh ...

'') forest, G1 ***Southern Appalachian red spruce - northern hardwood forest / rhododendron forest
''

'' - ''

Betula alleghaniensis ''Betula alleghaniensis'', the yellow birch, golden birch, or swamp birch, is a large tree and an important lumber species of birch native to northeastern North America. Its vernacular names refer to the golden color of the tree's bark. In the pa ...

'' / ''

Rhododendron ''Rhododendron'' (; : ''rhododendra'') is a very large genus of about 1,024 species of woody plants in the Ericaceae, heath family (Ericaceae). They can be either evergreen or deciduous. Most species are native to eastern Asia and the Himalayan ...

'' ('' R. maximum'', '' R. catawbiense'') forest, G1? **Southern Appalachian shrub and grass balds ***Southern Appalachian grassy bald
''

Danthonia compressa ''Danthonia compressa'' is a species of grass known by the common names mountain oatgrass, flattened oatgrass, and slender oatgrass. Distribution This bunchgrass is native to eastern North America, where it can be found in eastern Canada and the ...

'' - '' Carex brunnescens'' - '' Sibbaldia tridentata'' herbaceous vegetation, G1 ***Southern Appalachian deciduous heath bald
''

Menziesia pilosa ''Rhododendron pilosum'' (syn. ''Menziesia pilosa''), the minniebush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae. A shrub reaching , it is typically found growing in the Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountains, often cal ...

'' - ''

Vaccinium ''Vaccinium'' is a common and widespread genus of shrubs or dwarf shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae). The fruits of many species are eaten by humans and some are of commercial importance, including the cranberry, blueberry, bilberry (wh ...

'' ('' V. erythrocarpum'', '' V. simulatum'', '' V. corymbosum'') - ''

Sorbus americana The tree species ''Sorbus americana'' is commonly known as the American mountain-ash. It is a deciduous perennial tree, native to eastern North America. The American mountain-ash and related species (most often the European mountain-ash, ''Sorb ...

'' shrubland, G2 **Northern hardwood forests ***Southern Appalachian northern hardwood forest
''

Acer saccharum ''Acer saccharum'', the sugar maple, is a species of flowering plant in the soapberry and lychee family Sapindaceae. It is native to the hardwood forests of eastern Canada and the eastern United States. Sugar maple is best known for being the p ...

'' - ''

Fagus grandifolia Beech (genus ''Fagus'') is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to subtropical (accessory forest element) and temperate (as dominant element of mesophytic forests) Eurasia and North America. There are 14 accepted species i ...

'' - ''

Aesculus flava ''Aesculus flava'', also known commonly as the common buckeye, the sweet buckeye, and the yellow buckeye, is a species of deciduous tree in the subfamily Hippocastanoideae of the family Sapindaceae. The species is native to the Ohio Valley and ...

'' / ''Ageratina altissima'' var. ''roanensis'' - '' Eurybia chlorolepis'' forest, G3, G4 **High-elevation cove forest ***Southern Appalachian high-elevation rich cove forest
''

'' - ''

'' / ''

Caulophyllum thalictroides ''Caulophyllum thalictroides'', the blue cohosh, is a species of flowering plant in the Berberidaceae (barberry) family. It is a medium-tall perennial with blue berry-like fruits and bluish-green foliage. The common name cohosh is probably from a ...

'' - ''

Actaea podocarpa ''Actaea podocarpa'', the mountain bugbane or mountain black-cohosh, is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family. It is native to the eastern United States, where it is found in the Appalachian Mountains, with a disjunct population i ...

'' - ''

Dryopteris intermedia ''Dryopteris intermedia'', the intermediate wood fern or evergreen wood fern, is a perennial, evergreen wood fern native to eastern North America. It is a diploid species, and is the parent of several species of hybrid origin, including ''Dryopt ...

'' forest, G3 *Terrestrial-low elevation mesic forests **Rich cove forest ***Southern Appalachian rich cove forest (sugar maple - buckeye type)
''

'' - ''

Tilia americana ''Tilia americana'' is a species of tree in the family Malvaceae, native to eastern North America, from southeast Manitoba east to New Brunswick, southwest to northeast Oklahoma, southeast to South Carolina, and west along the Niobrara River to ...

'' var. ''heterophylla'' - ''

'' / ''

'' - ''

Hydrophyllum ''Hydrophyllum'' is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the borage family Boraginaceae, the borage or forget-me-not family, includes about 2,000 species of shrubs, trees, and herbs in 146 to 154 genera with a worldwide distribution. Th ...

'' ('' H. canadense'', '' H. macrophyllum'') forest, G3, G4 ***Southern Appalachian limestone rich cove forest
''

'' var. ''heterophylla'' - ''

'' - ''

'' / ''

Staphylea trifolia ''Staphylea trifolia'', the American bladdernut, is native to eastern North America, from southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec west to Nebraska and Arkansas, and south to Florida. It is sometimes used as an ornamental plant. It is a medium- ...

'' / ''

Cystopteris bulbifera ''Cystopteris bulbifera'', with the common name bulblet fern, bulblet bladderfern, or bulblet fragile fern is a fern in the family Cystopteridaceae. Distribution The fern is native to eastern Canada, the Midwestern and Eastern United States, and ...

'' - '' Asarum canadense'' forest, G3, G4 **Montane mixed oak and oak - hickory forests ***Southern Appalachian montane mixed oak forest (northern red oak - chestnut oak submesic type)
''

Quercus rubra ''Quercus rubra'', the northern red oak, is an oak tree in the red oak group (''Quercus'' section ''Lobatae''). It is a native of North America, in the eastern and central United States and southeast and south-central Canada. It has been intro ...

'' - ''

Quercus montana ''Quercus montana'', the chestnut oak, is a species of oak in the white oak group, ''Quercus'' sect. ''Quercus''. It is native to the eastern United States, where it is one of the most important ridgetop trees from southern Maine southwest to ...

'' - ''

Magnolia ''Magnolia'' is a large genus of about 210 to 340The number of species in the genus ''Magnolia'' depends on the taxonomic view that one takes up. Recent molecular and morphological research shows that former genera ''Talauma'', ''Dugandiodendr ...

'' ('' M. acuminata'', '' M. fraseri'') / ''

Acer pensylvanicum ''Acer pensylvanicum'', known as the striped maple, moosewood, moose maple or goosefoot maple, is a small North American species of maple. The striped maple is a sequential hermaphrodite, meaning that it can change its sex throughout its lifetim ...

'' forest, G4? ***Central Appalachian montane oak - hickory forest (acidic type)
''

'' - ''

Quercus An oak is a hardwood tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' of the beech family. They have spirally arranged leaves, often with lobed edges, and a nut called an acorn, borne within a cup. The genus is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisp ...

'' ('' Q. montana'', '' Q. alba'') - ''

Carya ovalis ''Carya ovalis'', the red hickory or sweet pignut hickory, is a fairly uncommon but widespread hickory native to eastern North America. It is typically found growing in dry, well drained sandy upland ridges and sloped woodlands from southern Onta ...

'' / ''

Carex pensylvanica ''Carex pensylvanica'' is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family commonly called Pennsylvania sedge (sometimes shortened to Penn sedge). Other common names include early sedge, common oak sedge, and yellow sedge. Distribution This pla ...

'' - ('' Calamagrostis porteri'') forest, G3, G4 *Terrestrial low-elevation woodlands, barrens, and rock outcrops **Mountain / piedmont acidic woodlands ***Central Appalachian xeric chestnut oak - Virginia pine woodland
''

'' - ''

Pinus virginiana ''Pinus virginiana'', the Virginia pine, scrub pine, Jersey pine, possum pine, is a medium-sized tree, often found on poorer soils from Long Island in southern New York south through the Appalachian Mountains to western Tennessee and Alabama. Th ...

'' - ('' Pinus pungens'') / ''

Schizachyrium scoparium ''Schizachyrium scoparium'', commonly known as little bluestem or beard grass, is a species of North American prairie grass native to most of the contiguous United States (except California, Nevada, and Oregon) as well as a small area north of t ...

'' - '' Dichanthelium depauperatum'' woodland, G3? ***Appalachian xeric pine outcrop woodland
''

Pinus A pine is any conifer tree or shrub in the genus ''Pinus'' () of the family Pinaceae. ''Pinus'' is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae. ''World Flora Online'' accepts 134 species-rank taxa (119 species and 15 nothospecies) of pines as c ...

'' ('' P. rigida'', '' P. virginiana'') / ''

Gaylussacia baccata ''Gaylussacia baccata'', the black huckleberry, is a common huckleberry found throughout a wide area of eastern North America. Description ''Gaylussacia baccata'' is a shrub up to 150 cm (5 feet) tall, forming extensive colonies. Flowers ...

'' / (''

'', ''

Danthonia spicata ''Danthonia'' is a genus of Eurasian, North African, and American plants in the grass family. Members of this genus are sometimes referred to as oatgrass, but that common name is not restricted to this genus. Other common names include heathgra ...

'') woodland, G3 **Mountain/piedmont cliffs ***Southern Appalachian mesic calcareous cliff
(''

Hydrangea arborescens ''Hydrangea arborescens'', commonly known as smooth hydrangea or sevenbark, is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae. It is a small- to medium-sized, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub up to tall that is native to the eastern Uni ...

'', ''

Physocarpus opulifolius ''Physocarpus opulifolius'', known as common ninebark, Eastern ninebark, Atlantic ninebark, or simply ninebark, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae, native to eastern North America, named for its peeling multi-hued bark ...

'') / ''

Heuchera villosa ''Heuchera villosa'', the hairy alumroot, is a small evergreen Perennial plant, perennial native to the Eastern United States. It is found only on rock outcrops, growing on cliffs and boulders. ''Heuchera villosa'' is sometimes grown ornamentall ...

'' - ''

Micranthes caroliniana ''Micranthes'' is a genus of flowering plants in the saxifrage family. It was formerly included within the genus ''Saxifraga'' until recent DNA evidence showed the members of what is now ''Micranthes'' are more closely related to '' Boykinia'' a ...

'' shrub herbaceous vegetation, G2 *Palustrine - non-alluvial wetlands of the mountains **Montane woodland seeps ***Southern Appalachian high-elevation seep (umbrella-leaf - lettuce saxifrage type)
'' Diphylleia cymosa'' - '' Micranthes micranthidifolia'' - ''

Laportea canadensis ''Laportea canadensis'', commonly called Canada nettle or wood-nettle, is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant of the nettle family Urticaceae, native to eastern and central North America. It is found growing in open woods with moist rich soils ...

'' herbaceous vegetation, G3 ***Ridge and valley inland salt marsh
''

Juncus gerardii ''Juncus gerardii'', commonly known as blackgrass, black needle rush or saltmarsh rush, is a perennial flowering plant in the rush family Juncaceae. Description ''Juncus gerardii'' forms loose swards of erect tufts from dense and far-reaching ...

'' - ''

Bolboschoenus robustus ''Bolboschoenus robustus'' is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family. It is known by many common names: saltmarsh bulrush, alkali bulrush, sturdy bulrush, seacoast bulrush, stout bulrush, three-cornered sedge or leafy three-cornered se ...

'' - '' Hibiscus moscheutos'' herbaceous vegetation, G1

Geologic history

The cluster is in the

Ridge and Valley Province The Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, also called the Ridge and Valley Province or the Valley and Ridge Appalachians, are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Highlands division. The physiographic province is divided into three sec ...

that extends along the western boundary of Virginia. The Ridge and Valley Province is composed of long, relatively level-crested, ridges with highest elevations reaching over . The province marks the eastern boundary in the Paleozoic era of an older land surface on the east. It was uplifted and eroded during the

Paleozoic The Paleozoic ( , , ; or Palaeozoic) Era is the first of three Era (geology), geological eras of the Phanerozoic Eon. Beginning 538.8 million years ago (Ma), it succeeds the Neoproterozoic (the last era of the Proterozoic Eon) and ends 251.9 Ma a ...

with extensive folding and thrust-faulting. Resistant quartzite, conglomerates and sandstones form the ridge caps while less resistant

shale Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock formed from mud that is a mix of flakes of Clay mineral, clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g., Kaolinite, kaolin, aluminium, Al2Silicon, Si2Oxygen, O5(hydroxide, OH)4) and tiny f ...

s and

limestone Limestone is a type of carbonate rock, carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material Lime (material), lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different Polymorphism (materials science) ...

s eroded to form the intervening valleys. The province is part of the

. Garden Mountain extends from Abingdon to the New River, where the ridge of Garden Mountain continues across the river but is now named Sinking Creek Mountain. The mountain completely surrounds Burkes Garden, an unusual geologic formation. From above Burke's Garden looks like the remnant of a volcano or a large lake. It is about 10 miles long and 5 miles wide (16 × 8 km). Called the Great Swamp by Native Americans, it was probably too wet for crops. There are several proposals about its creation. One claims the valley was a lake drained by a creek, Burke's Garden Creek, flowing through the gap on the western edge. Another claims it was a dome formed by a sandstone cap. Eroded by water, the cap cracked forming a flat valley below. The

Tennessee Valley Divide The Tennessee Valley Divide is the boundary of the drainage basin of the Tennessee River and its tributaries. The Tennessee River drainage basin begins with its tributaries in southwestern Virginia and flows generally west to the confluence of t ...

passes through the cluster along the southern rim of Burke's Garden, dividing the drainage for the Tennessee River and the New River. Roaring Fork, Lick Creek and Lynn Camp Creek, on the southwest, flow into the North Holston River which then flows into the Tennessee. Hunting Camp Creek, on the northeast, is part of the New River drainage. Both the New River and Tennessee River flow into the Ohio River.

Cultural history

According to legend, Burke's Garden was discovered in about 1748 by James Burk while chasing a wounded elk. After eating some potatoes, he covered the peelings with dirt in order to hide his presence from Indians. Later explorers, finding a large patch of potatoes that had sprouted from the peelings, named the place as "Burk's Garden". The "e" on the end of the name was added at a later time. The area was settled by German Lutherans who were so attached to the area that they refused to sell their land to George Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt, looking for a place to build a home, moved to North Carolina where he built the largest private home in America, the

Biltmore Estate Biltmore Estate is a historic house museum and tourist attraction in Asheville, North Carolina, United States. The main residence, Biltmore House (or Biltmore Mansion), is a Châteauesque-style mansion built for George Washington Vanderbilt II ...

. Tazewell, the largest town near the cluster and the seat of Tazewell County, has served as the financial center for the agricultural and coal mining interests in the region. Evidence of prosperity is given by the large homes built on several hills. The town was incorporated in 1866. The county was named for

Henry Tazewell Henry Tazewell (November 27, 1753January 24, 1799) was an American politician who was instrumental in the early government of Virginia, and a US senator from Virginia. He was a slave owner, and served as President pro tempore of the United Stat ...

, who served from 1794 to 1799 as a United States senator.

Other clusters

Other clusters of the Wilderness Society's "Mountain Treasures" in the Jefferson National Forest (north to south): *

Glenwood Cluster The Glenwood Cluster is a region in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests recognized by The Wilderness Society for its rich biodiversity, scenery, wildflower displays, cold-water trout streams and horse trails. It offers a unique ...

Craig Creek Cluster The Craig Creek Cluster is a region recognized by The Wilderness Society for its unique high elevation mountains, vistas, trout streams and wildlife habitat. The cluster contains wildlands and wilderness areas along Craig Creek, a 65-mile long cr ...

Barbours Creek-Shawvers Run Cluster The Barbours Creek-Shawvers Run Cluster is a region in the Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society (United States), The Wilderness Society for its unique high elevation mountains, vistas, trout streams and wildlife habitat. ...

Sinking Creek Valley Cluster The Sinking Creek Valley Cluster is a region in the Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society (United States), The Wilderness Society for its unique recreational and scenic values as well as the importance of its watershed pro ...

Mountain Lake Wilderness Cluster The Mountain Lake Wilderness Cluster is a region recognized by The Wilderness Society for its unique waterfalls, vistas, trout stream and wildlife habitat. The heart of the region is the Mountain Lake Wilderness, the largest wilderness in the Geo ...

Angels Rest Cluster The Angels Rest Cluster is a region in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society (United States), The Wilderness Society for its diversity of habitats with steep mountain ...

Walker Mountain Cluster The Walker Mountain Cluster is a region in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society (United States), The Wilderness Society for its diversity of habitats extending alon ...

Kimberling Creek Cluster The Kimberling Creek Cluster is a region in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society (United States), The Wilderness Society for its diversity of habitats extending alon ...

Mount Rogers Cluster The Mount Rogers Cluster is a region recognized by The Wilderness Society (United States), The Wilderness Society for its unique high elevation mountains, vistas, trout streams and wildlife habitat. The heart of the region is Mount Rogers, the hi ...

Clinch Ranger District Cluster The Clinch Ranger District Cluster is a region in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests recognized by The Wilderness Society for its rich biodiversity and rugged scenery. It offers a unique habitat for rare plants, salamanders and ...

Gallery

Animals

File:Virginia big-eared bat female.JPG, Virginia big-eared bat female File:Noturus flavipinnis.jpg, ''Noturus flavipinnis'' File:Spruce Fir Moss Spider.jpg, Spruce-fir moss spider File:Pegias fabula.jpg, ''Pegias fabula'' File:Villosa perpurpurea.jpg, ''Villosa perpurpurea'' File:Io fluvialis.jpg, ''Io fluvialis'' File:Echinacea angustifolia, A Regal Visitor.jpg, Regal fritillary

Plants

File:Gymnoderma lineare.jpg, ''Cetradonia linearis'' File:Parnassia grandifolia.jpg, ''Parnassia grandifolia'' File:Southern wild flowers and trees (Page 147, Plate XLIX) BHL23630327.jpg, Pirate bush

References

External links

George Washington and Jefferson National ForestsWilderness SocietyTazewell historyTown of Tazewell
Protected areas of Bland County, Virginia Protected areas of Tazewell County, Virginia Protected areas of Smyth County, Virginia George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

Description

Location and access

Biological significance

Animals

Plants

Natural communities

Geologic history

Cultural history

Other clusters

Gallery

Animals

Plants

See also

References

Further reading

External links