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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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Conotton loams

Conotton soils are found on outwash terraces in Carbon County, with parent material consisting of gravelly glacial outwash. Depth to a root restrictive layer is greater than 60 inches, and the natural drainage class is well drained. Water movement in the most restrictive layer is high. Available water to a depth of 60 inches and shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is not flooded or ponded. There is no zone of water saturation within a depth of 72 inches.

Soil composition in the top 12 inches is 14.3 percent clay, 52 percent sand and 33.7 percent silt, with an average pH in the top 12 inches of 5.6. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent, and in the top 12 inches, 1.28 percent

Carbon County

CtA - Conotton gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Because it is shallow, droughty, or stony, this soil has severe limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires special conservation practices, or both.
CtB - Conotton gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes
Because it is shallow, droughty, or stony, this soil has severe limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires special conservation practices, or both.
CtD - Conotton gravelly loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes
Because risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is maintained, this soil has very severe limitations that make it unsuitable for cultivation and restricts use mainly to grazing, forestland or wildlife habitat.