1. Forest succession is the gradual replacement of one community of plants by another, usually driven by differences in shade tolerance. Pioneer species that colonize first are shade-intolerant, while climax species that eventually remain are most shade tolerant. 2. In an eastern deciduous forest, pioneer species like black locust and loblolly pine establish first following clearing before being replaced by oak trees with intermediate tolerance and later more tolerant maple and beech. 3. Forest succession can be influenced by disturbances like clearing or fire that allow pioneers to grow, while lack of disturbance allows climax species suited to the location to persist indefinitely.