Many stands of small-diameter hardwoods without large pines among them are probably of this origin. Whatever the origin of a forest stand, its species composition will depend on the environment of the site where it is growing. The northern North Carolina piedmont is considered to be part of the oak-hickory climax forest formation. This means that the final, most stable stage of succession over most of the area should consist of a mixture of various species of oaks and hickories. This generally is true of Duke Forest on upland sites.
Succession is a continual, never-ending process the forest ecosystem is in a constant state of flux.