Throughout its range this species is largely restricted to Appalachian regions or nearby hills. For Ky. earlier reports from western counties are highly dubious but slightly intriguing (Gm, Little 1971, Faller 1975, FNA 3). Barton's (1919) data indicate that this species (or perhaps locally allegheniensis) was a significant component of the original forests only in or near the Cumberland Mts.