In 2003, the National Park Service (NPS) at New River Gorge National River (NERI) hosted a workshop to identify significant forest issues, resources, and processes occurring within the park (National Park Service 2003b). Several forest communities of concern were identified by the panel of scientists and resource managers. One such community, the rimrock pine forest lining the rim of the gorge, was chosen due to the importance of the community to wildlife and recreation. The rimrock pines also were thought to be a historically significant feature of the northern section of the gorge as evidenced by historic photographs from the 1940s and 1950s. The panel suggested an investigation be conducted to better understand the establishment and maintenance of the rimrock pine forest.