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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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Comly loams

Found on hills and valleys in Carbon County, Comly series parent material consists of colluvium derived from shale and siltstone. Depth to a root restrictive layer is greater than 60 inches. The natural drainage class is moderately well drained and water movement in the most restrictive layer is moderately high. Available water to a depth of 60 inches is moderate, and shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is not flooded or ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 20 inches during January, February, March, November and December.

Soil composition varies within the series (see below), but average pH in the top 12 inches is 5.0. With noted exceptions, organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent and in the top 12 inches, 1.88 percent by weight.

Carbon County

CmA - Comly silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Because water in or on the soil surface interferes with plant growth or cultivation, this soil has moderate limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires moderate conservation practices. The soil is composed of 19.3 percent clay, 26.5 percent sand, and 54.3 percent silt.
CmB2 - Comly silt loam, 3 to 8 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. The soil is composed of 19.3 percent clay, 26.5 percent sand, and 54.3 percent silt.
CmC - Comly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes
Because risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is maintained, this soil has severe limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires special conservation practices, or both. The soil is composed of 19.3 percent clay, 26.5 percent sand, and 54.3 percent silt.
CnC3 - Comly silty clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Because risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is maintained, this soil has severe limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires special conservation practices, or both. The extent of this soil is just 189 acres. The soil is composed of 28.1 percent clay, 17.8 percent sand and 54.1 percent silt.
CoB - Comly very stony silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 4 percent and in the top 12 inches, 3.28 percent by weight. The soil is composed of 19.3 percent clay, 26.5 percent sand, and 54.3 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.
CoD - Comly very stony silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes
Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 4 percent and in the top 12 inches, 3.28 percent by weight. The soil is composed of 19.3 percent clay, 26.5 percent sand, and 54.3 percent silt. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 4 percent. 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.