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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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Lickdale and Tughill loams

This complex, comprised of 50 percent Lickdale and 50 percent Tughill loams, is found in Carbon County depressions with very poor drainage and with water movement in the most restrictive layer very low. The soils are not ponded or flooded, but organic matter in the surface horizon is about 12 percent. The soils meet the criteria to be classified as hydric.

The Lickdale parent material consists of colluvium derived from sandstone and shale and depth to a root restrictive layer 40 inches (paralithic bedrock). Available water to a depth of 60 inches is low, but shrink-swell potential is moderate. This soil is not flooded. It is not ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 3 inches during January, February, March, April, May, June, November and December.

The Tughill parent material consists of till. Depth to a root restrictive layer is greater than 60 inches. Available water to a depth of 60 inches is low. Shrink-swell potential is low. A seasonal zone of water saturation is the surface during January, February, March, April, May, June, November and December.

Carbon County

LsA - Lickdale and Tughill loams and silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes
Lickdale - Because water in or on the soil surface interferes with plant growth or cultivation, this soil has very severe limitations that reduce choice of plants or that require very careful management, or both its use is limited mainly to pasture, rangeland, forestland or wildlife habitat. Soil composition, top 12 inches: 22.5 percent clay, 32.3 percent sand, 56.2 percent silt.
LtA - Lickdale and Tughill very stony loams, 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. Soil composition, top 12 inches, 22.2 percent clay, 45.3 percent sand, 46.7 percent silt. Organic matter, top 12 inches: 12 percent by weight. Soil pH, top 12 inches, 4.8.