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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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Meckesville loams

Found in mountain valleys in Carbon and Monroe Counties, Meckesville parent material consists of sandstone, siltstone and shale colluvium derived from sedimentary rock. Depth to a root restrictive layer, fragipan, is 25 to 48 inches. 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 is moderate and shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is not flooded or ponded.

Carbon County

The soil is composed of 18.8 percent clay, 42.8 percent sand and 38.4 percent silt. Organic matter content in the surface horizon is about 2 percent, and averages 1.98 percent by weight in the top 12 inches. Soil pH is 4.6. There is no zone of water saturation within a depth of 72 inches.

MbA - Meckesville channery loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
This soil has few limitations that restrict its use.
MbB2 - Meckesville channery 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.
MbC2 - Meckesville channery 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.
McB - Meckesville 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.
McD - Meckesville 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 in the first 12 inches is 20.4 percent clay, 41.8 percent sand and 37.8 percent silt. Organic matter content in the surface horizon and the top 12 inches is about 2 percent, and soil pH is 4.6, A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 33 inches during January, February, March, April, November and December.

MeA - Meckesville gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes
This soil has few limitations that restrict its use.
MeB - Meckesville gravelly 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.
MeC - Meckesville gravelly loam, 8 to 15 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.
MfB - Meckesville 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.
MfC - Meckesville 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.