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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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Laidig loams

Found on mountain slopes in Carbon and Monroe counties, Laidig parent consists of colluvium derived from sandstone and siltstone. Depth to a root restrictive layer, fragipan, is 30 to 50 inches. The natural drainage class is 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 30 inches during January, February and March.

Carbon County

Soil composition varies slightly. In the top 12 inches of gravelly loams, it is 23.8 percent clay, 51.5 percent sand and 24.6 percent silt. The very stony loams are 23.3 percent clay, 51.6 percent sand and 25 percent silt. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent and 1.17 percent in the top 12 inches for all groups. Soil pH for all is 4.6.

LaB2 - Laidig gravelly 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.
LaC2 - Laidig gravelly 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.
LaD3 - Laidig gravelly loam, 15 to 25 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.
LdB - Laidig very stony loam, 3 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.
LdD - Laidig 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

Soil composition of the top 12 inches is 21.8 percent clay, 40.6 percent sand and 37.6 percent silt. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 3 percent, and it averages 1.64 percent by weight in the top 12 inches. Soil pH is 4.6.

LgB - Laidig extremely stony 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.
LgC - Laidig extremely stony 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.