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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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Hazleton loams

Found on mountain slopes, the parent material of Hazleton soils consists of residuum weathered from sandstone. Depth to a root restrictive layer, bedrock, lithic, is 40 to 96 inches. The natural drainage class is well drained and water movement in the most restrictive layer is high. Available water to a depth of 60 inches is moderate, with shrink-swell potential as low. This soil is not flooded or ponded. There is no zone of water saturation within a depth of 72 inches.

Soil composition of the top 12 inches is 14.3 percent clay, 39.1 percent sand and 46.6 percent silt. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 3 percent, but an average of 1.9 percent in the top 12 inches, by weight. Soil pH for the top 12 inches is 4.6

Carbon County

HtA - Hazleton loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
This soil has few limitations that restrict its use.
HtB - Hazleton loam, 3 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.
HtB2 - Hazleton 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.
HtC2 - Hazleton 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.
HvB - Hazleton 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.
HvD - Hazleton 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.

Hazleton loams

Found on mountain slopes, Hazleton parent material consists of residuum weathered from sandstone. Depth to a root restrictive layer, lithic bedrock, is 40 to 96 inches. The natural drainage class is well drained and water movement in the most restrictive layer is high. Available water to a depth of 60 inches is low 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 of the top 12 inches is 12.5 percent clay, 67.9 percent sand and 19.6 percent silt. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 3 percent, but an average of 1.41 percent by weight in the top 12 inches. Soil pH is 4.6.

Monroe County

HxB - Hazleton extremely stony sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
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.
HxC - Hazleton extremely stony sandy loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes
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.