Pine barrens, maintained by frequent fires, cover several peaks; Panther Knob supports the largest pine barren in the Central Appalachians. Other rocky summits, including the summit of Pike Knob, are blanketed by red pine (Pinus resinosa) forests, here at their southernmost natural occurrences. The Monongahela National Forest has designated of old growth red pine forest on the mountain as the North Fork Mountain Red Pine Botanical Area.