William’s Point

The area occupies 150 acres (61 ha). It includes north- and east-facing slopes of a promontory surrounded on three sides by the Klamath River. The fourth side is State Highway 96. Most slopes are steep (60-90 percent [31-42°]). Those at the east end are moderate (30-50 percent [11-27°]). Elevations range from 1100 ft (335 m) at the edge of the Klamath River to 2250 ft (686 m) atop William’s Point.

Distinctive Features 

This area is representative of inner Klamath River stands of Douglas-fir and tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) on north- and east-facing slopes. The area is clearly a warmer coastal site than the Specimen Creek survey area, as indicated by the presence of tanoak, but is also somewhat drier than that area, as indicated by the lack of giant chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla).

Association Types 

Forty releves were sampled as well as forty points (point-centered quarter method). Sizes of associations are not given. 

Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)/Achlys triphylla (81100, 82420): This is the major forest type in the area. The releves are analyzed with an association table, which divides the type into two phases: a lower slope, relatively mesic Douglas-fir/Polystichum phase and a relatively xeric upper slope Douglas-fir/Ligusticum phase. 

1. The Douglas-fir/Polystichum phase is characterized by a dense lower canopy dominated by tanoak (100 percent presence, 440 trees/ha, basal area 20 m²/ha). Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) is restricted to this phase (27 percent presence, 27 trees/ha, 0.6 m²/ha). Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is the other major hardwood (73 trees/ha, 4.6 m²/ha). Douglas-fir is the major canopy dominant (100 percent presence, 257 trees/ha, 155.8 m²/ha). Productivity for Douglas-fir (measured from the outer 5 inches [13 cm] of trunk cored) in the Douglas-fir/Polystichum phase is similar to that in the Douglas-fir/Ligusticum phase (7.7 years/cm vs. 7.0 years/cm, respectively), while basal area is substantially higher. 

Important shrubs of this phase include Berberis nervosa, Corylus cornuta, Symphoricarpos mollis, Rosa gymnocarpa, Toxicodendron diversilobum, and Holodiscus discolor. Many herbs are common to both phases. Some of the most important include Polystichum munitum, Achlys triphylla, Trientalis latifolia, Disporum hookeri, Pteridium aquilinum, Galium triflorum, and Lonicera hispidula. 

2. The Douglas-fir/Ligusticum californicum phase is dominated by Douglas-fir (198 trees/ha, 63 m²/ha) but with a higher cover of sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) (6 trees/ha and 4.8 m²/ha) than in the previous phase. Tanoak is greatly reduced in the subcanopy compared to the previous phase (7 trees/ha, 0.1 m²/ha). Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) becomes relatively important in the lower canopy (80 percent presence, 83 trees/ha, 4.0 m²/ha), and Pacific madrone values remain similar to those of the previous phase (38 trees/ha, 5.0 m²/ha). 

This phase has a more distinctive herb stratum with Madia madioides, Ligusticum californicum, and Lathyrus polyphyllus restricted to it, along with such common shared species as Pteridium aquilinum, Disporum hookeri, Galium triflorum, Trientalis latifolia, and Arnica sp. Shrubs are similar to those in the previous phase with the notable absence of Berberis nervosa. 

Canyon Live Oak-Oregon White Oak/Pityrogramma triangularis (71110, 81320): This association occurs on dry, steep unstable slopes. Ten points were sampled in this type. It is characterized by an open woodland dominated by small canyon live oak (134 trees/ha, 5.5 m²/ha) and Oregon white oak (166 trees/ha, 2.4 m²/ha). Total basal area of this type averages 7.8 m²/ha, and total density is 316 trees/ha. The herb layer is distinct with xerophytic species such as Pityrogramma triangularis, Heuchera micrantha, Selaginella wallacei, Aira praecox, Polypodium californicum, and Eriogonum umbellatum predominating. The major shrub is Toxicodendron diversilobum with lesser species including Holodiscus discolor, Ceanothus integerrimus, Lonicera ciliosa, Cercocarpus betuloides, and Philadelphus lewisii ssp. gordonianus.

Plant Diversity 

One hundred eleven taxa are listed. 

Conflicting impacts 

The area is small and does not represent a variety of slope aspects. This restricts research potential. A clear-cut block prevents enlargement of the area to the north. The area was partially burned in a 1987 fire.