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This page is one of a series discussing soils of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties, Pennsylvania. Go up to index.

About values

Unless otherwise noted, references to soil properties, organic matter and soil pH represent values for the top 12 inches of the described soil - the area of likely interest for most landscapers using herbaceous perennials. Depth to root restrictive layers, either in the form of fragipans or bedrock, may be of interest to those planting trees and shrubs.

Source: National Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Alvira - Shelmadine silt loams

The complex is composed of 50 percent each of Alvira and Shelmadine soils. Alvira soils are found on the flanks of valleys and the margins of eroding uplands. The parent material consists of till. Shelmadine soils are found on depressions where the parent material consists of loamy till and, because it may contain wetlands, meets the criteria to be classified as a hydric soil.

Depth to a root restrictive fragipan is 15 to 30 inches. The natural drainage class is poorly drained and water movement in the most restrictive layer is moderately high. Available water to a depth of 60 inches and shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is neither flooded or ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 12 inches during January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.

The soil complex, within the top 12 inches, is composed of 18.5 percent clay, 27.6 percent sand and 55.3 percent silt. Soil pH in the top 12 inches averages 4.6. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent; within the top 12 inches, it averages 1.4 percent.

Carbon County

AsA - Alvira and Shelmadine silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Because water in or on the soil surface interferes with plant growth or cultivation, this soil has severe limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires special conservation practices, or both.
AsB2 - Alvira and Shelmadine silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Because water in or on the soil surface interferes with plant growth or cultivation, this soil has severe limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires special conservation practices, or both.
AtB - Alvira and Shelmadine very stony silt loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Because it is shallow, droughty, or stony, this soil has severe limitations that make them generally unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict its use mainly to pasture, rangeland, forestland or wildlife habitat.
Because it is shallow, droughty, or stony, this soil has very severe limitations that make it unsuitable for cultivation and restricts use mainly to grazing, forestland or wildlife habitat.