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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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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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Buchanan loams

Buchanan soils are found on mountain slopes and valley sides in Carbon and Monroe Counties. The parent material consists of mountain slope colluvium derived from sedimentary rock. Depth to a root restrictive layer, fragipan, is 20 to 36 inches. The natural drainage class is moderately well drained and water movement in the most restrictive layer is moderately low. Available water to a depth of 60 inches is moderate, but shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is not flooded or ponded.

Carbon County

Soil composition in the top 12 inches is typically 21.6 percent clay, 40.8 percent sand and 37.6 silt. Soil pH for the top 12 inches is 4.6. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent, and in the top 12 inches an average of 1.44 percent. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 20 inches during January, February, March, November, December.

BcB2 - Buchanan gravelly loam, 3 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Because risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is maintained, this soil has moderate limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires moderate conservation practices.
BhB - Buchanan very stony 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.
BhD - Buchanan very stony loam, 8 to 25 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 and organic matter content varies (see below). Organic matter content in the surface horizon is 1 to 3 percent but varies in the first 12 inches (see below). Soil pH is 4.6. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 6 inches during January, February, March, November and December.

BuB - Buchanan loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes
Soil composition: 19.4 percent clay, 42.4 percent sand and 38.2 percent silt. Organic matter in the top 12 inches: 1.7 percent by weight. Because risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is maintained, this soil has moderate limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires moderate conservation practices.
BxB - Buchanan extremely stony loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Soil composition: 22.2 percent clay, 40.4 percent sand and 37.4 percent silt. Organic matter in the top 12 inches: 1.47 percent by weight. 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.
BxC - Buchanan extremely stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes
Soil composition: 21.2 percent clay, 41 percent sand and 37.7 percent silt. Organic matter in the top 12 inches: 0.72 percent by weight. 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.