The climate, with warm summers and cold winters, allows for slow growth and tight rings that ensure quality. Precipitation in the region provides enough moisture to aid development of trees into strong timbers. In the Appalachian forest, more than 60 varieties of trees grow large enough to make lumber. Hardwoods are dominant but along some stream banks, on the south and west slopes and one some ridges, you find conifers or evergreens such as hemlock, pines, spruce and fir. Elevation is similar to latitude in its effect on trees and as we move up a mountain we find changing species distribution similar to that in traveling north.
Directional exposure is also a factor in species distribution.
On the south and west areas are the exposed or dry slopes. The coves represent the sheltered moist areas in the deep hollows. On the south and west slopes we find scarlet, hickory, black gum and generally the less desirable species. On the north and east slopes are white and red oak, ash, hard and soft maple and beech. In the coves are red and white oak, yellow poplar, ash and cherry.