Forest Community Dynamics in Hemlock Overlook, Virginia: A Ten-Year Student-Collected Forest Plot Dataset

During a ten-year observation period three 0.1 ha plots in Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, Fairfax County, VA, were regularly sampled. Student observers recorded and identified to species wherever possible, all trees with a DBH of 3cm or greater in these plots. In total there were 94 sampling events across the ten years with a total of 4,536 trees counted and measured. Of the recorded trees, the most frequently sampled trees were beech (Fagus grandifolia), with 1,681 records and the least frequently recorded trees were maple (Acer spp.) with 410 records. This dataset adds to the literature a longitudinal consistent sampling dataset that can be used for forestry and forest ecology research.