A natural oak woodland has more than 50% but
less than 80% of the ground shaded by trees.
Most such areas today have grown up with brush
and invasive tree species that shade out the grasses
and wildflowers that once bloomed all summer and fall.

drawing by Paul Nelson

Areas here where more than half of the ground is shaded by trees are called woodland rather than savanna. Here the main tree species are oaks (bur, white, swamp white, scarlet, red, and Chinquapin), hickory (shagbark and bitternut) and black walnut. In addition to the savanna shrubs, understory woody vegetation here includes hop hornbeam and cherry. Typical herbs include elm-leaved goldenrod, Joe-pye-weed, wild geranium, and wood reed. Butterflies include the Appalachian brown, question mark, and many species of hairstreaks. Typical birds include great crested flycatcher, rose-breasted grosbeak and Baltimore oriole.