The soil types include Cecil, Georgeville, Pacolet, Tatum and Wedowee. Because the overall moisture level is not easy to determine, upland hardwood forests are most easily distinguished by the canopy composition. Oaks, other than Q. rubra , are not generally important. The herb layer is often moderately dense and diverse, though it may be sparse under heavy shade. Under natural conditions these forests are uneven-aged, with old trees present.
Reproduction occurs primarily in canopy gaps.
Severe natural disturbances may allow pulses of increased regeneration. Many areas have been selectively cut and have increased the importance of Fagus grandifolia and other noncommercial hardwoods relative to oaks. Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forests may be distinguished from Basic Mesic Forests by more acidic soils, sparser herb layer and lower floristic diversity. Refer to the herbaceous species list of the Basic Mesic Forest for a list of more base-loving species. The bird and mammal species assemblages are essentially the same as those in the Oak-Hickory Forests .