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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.

About Pennystone

The Pennystone Project provides information relating to sustainable landscape practices using native species, with emphasis on the northeastern counties of Pennsylvania.

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Alvira loams

Alvira soils are found on the flanks of valleys and the margins of eroding uplands in Carbon and Monroe Counties. The parent material consists of till. Depth to a root restrictive layer, fragipan, is 15 to 28 inches. The natural drainage class is somewhat 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 and December.

Carbon County

The top 12 inches of soil is composed of 17.7 percent clay, 27.6 percent sand and 54.8 percent silt, with an average pH of 4.6. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent, and within the top 12 inches averages 1.22 percent by weight.

AnB - Alvira gravelly silt loam, 0 to 8 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.
ArB - Alvira very stony silt loam, 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.

Monroe County

Soil composition varies (see below). Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent, and averages 1.29 percent by weight in the top 12 inches. Soil pH is 4.6.

AvB - Alvira gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes
Soil composition is 16.9 percent clay, 28.3 percent sand and 54.8 percent silt in the top 12 inches. 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.
AwB - Alvira and Watson very stony loams, 0 to 12 percent slopes
The complex is composed of Alvira (55 percent) and Watson (35 percent) soils. Watson soils are found on valley sides and consist of old till derived from sedimentary rock. Soil composition is 16.9 percent clay, 40.1 percent sand and 43 percent silt. 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.