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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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Drifton loams

Drifton soils are found on hills and uplands in Carbon County. The parent material consists of loamy till. 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 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 26 inches during January, February, March, November, December.

Soil composition in the first 12 inches is 20.3 percent clay, 41.7 percent sand and 38 percent silt, with an average pH of 4.6 Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent, while the average for the top 12 inches is 1.42 percent by weight, except as noted below.

Carbon County

DrA - Drifton 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.
DrB2 - Drifton 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.
DsB - Drifton 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. Organic matter in the top 12 inches is 1.75 percent by weight.