Learn more

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.

PENNYSTONE  •  RESOURCES  •  NOTEBOOK

Andover loam

This component is found on depressions in Carbon County where the parent material consists of mountain slope colluvium derived from sedimentary rock. Depth to a root restrictive layer is greater than 60 inches. The natural drainage class is poorly drained and water movement in the most restrictive layer is moderately low.

Available water to a depth of 60 inches and shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is not flooded or ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 3 inches during January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November and December.

Soil composition in the top 12 inches is 23.8 percent clay, 39.6 percent sand and 36.6 percent silt. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent by weight and within the top 12 inches, 1.2 percent. Soil pH is 5.0.

Carbon County

AvA - Andover very stony loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
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. This soil meets criteria to be classifed as hydric.