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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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Hartleton loams

Hartleton loams are found on deep, well-drained uplands and mountain slopes in Carbon and Monroe Counties, with the parent material consisting of glacial till or frost-churned material weathered from sandstone and shale. Depth to a root restrictive layer, bedrock, lithic, is 48 to 96 inches in Carbon County and 40 to 80 inches in Monroe. The natural drainage class is well drained and water movement in the most restrictive layer is moderately 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.

Carbon County

Soil composition of the top 12 inches for the channery silt loams is 19.2 percent clay, 32.7 percent sand and 48.2 percent silt. In the very stony loams, the composition is 19.2 percent clay, 41.9 percent sand and 38.9 percent silt. Organic matter for all in the surface horizon is about 2 percent and averages 1.42 percent by weight in the top 12 inches. Soil pH in the top 12 inches is 5.0.

HaA - Hartleton channery silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Because it is shallow, droughty, or stony, this soil has moderate limitations that reduce choice of plants or requires moderate conservation practices.
HaB2 - Hartleton channery 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.
HaC2 - Hartleton channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately 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. This soil does not meet hydric criteria.
HaC3 - Hartleton channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded
Because risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is maintained, this soil has very severe limitations that reduce choice of plants or that require very careful management, or both.
HaD2 - Hartleton channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded
Because risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is maintained, this soil has very severe limitations that reduce choice of plants or that require very careful management, or both.
HaD3 - Hartleton channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded
Because risk of erosion unless close-growing plant cover is maintained, 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.
HsB - Hartleton 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.
HsD - Hartleton 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

Hartleton channery loams are composed of 18.7 percent clay, 28.2 percent sand and 53.2 percent silt. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 to 3 percent, and 1.43 percent by weight in the top 12 inches. Soil pH is 5.0 in the top 12 inches.

HaB - Hartleton channery silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes
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.
HaC - Hartleton channery silt loam, 8 to 20 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.