A terrestrial open canopied (averaging 25 -60% cover) woodland that occurs on very shallow soils (dysic lithic borofolist) over sandstone bedrock; this community is best developed where the bedrock is nearly level, thus forming a pavement. Fire is the most important ecological process for the maintenance of healthy sandstone pavement barren communities (Stergas and Adams 1989, Hawver 1993). Other disturbances that have influenced these barrens include blow downs, ice storms, and subsequent restoration cutting. Physiognomic variants such as exposed bedrock, open heath shrubs, sparse woodland, and closed canopy forest reflect the disturbance history of a given site.

In New York the dominant tree is typically jack pine (Pinus banksiana) but pitch pine (Pinus rigida) may be more common at some sites. Other associated pines include white pine (P. strobus), and red pine (P. resinosa). Other characteristic trees include red maple (Acer rubrum), paper birch (Betula papyrifera), and red oak (Quercus rubra). The shrublayer is dominated by black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata) and blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium). Other important shrubs are black chokeberry (Photinia melanocarpa), sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia), and sweet-fern (Comptonia peregrina). The groundcover includes many lichens and mosses, which may form a continuous cover in some areas. Characteristic lichens include Cladina rangiferina, C. mitis, C. stellaris, and Cladonia uncialis. Characteristic mosses include Polytrichum juniperinum and Pleurozium schreberi. Herbs grow throughout this groundcover and include bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), cow-wheat (Melampyrum lineare), poverty-grass (Danthonia spicata), and common hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa).

Known examples of this community have been found at elevations between 27 feet and 1005 feet.