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Soil Survey of Bristol County, Massachusetts SOUTHERN PART The following Map Unit Description is from the 1981 Soil Survey of Bristol County, Southern Part. Please note: map unit symbols are DIFFERENT for Bristol South and Bristol North reports, do NOT use these descriptions for Bristol North. Fm-Freetown muck. This soil is nearly level, deep, and very poorly drained. It is in depressions. Areas of this soil range from 4 to 500 acres, but most are about 20 acres. Typically, the upper part of the soil is 2 inches of reddish brown mucky peat. The next part is black and dark reddish brown muck to a depth of 60 inches or more. Included with this soil in mapping are areas of Swansea soils and small areas of Scarboro and Whitman soils. Also included are areas where the organic material consists of layers of muck and peat. Included areas make up about 15 percent of the unit. The permeability of this Freetown soil is moderate or moderately rapid. Available water capacity is high. A high water table is at or near the surface most of the year. Most areas of this soil are in woodland. A few small areas have been filled and are used for community development. The high water table makes the soil poorly suited to farming. Areas of this soil are difficult to drain because of the lack of suitable outlets. This soil is poorly suited to trees other than Atlantic white-cedar. Unless frozen, the soil will not support harvesting equipment. A shallow rooting depth causes a hazard of uprooting during windy periods. The rate of seedling mortality is high for trees that are not water tolerant. The seasonal high water table and the low strength of the soil are the main limitations for community development, especially as a building site or as a site for septic tanks or sanitary landfills. Capability subclass: Vw. Fp-Freetown muck, ponded. This soil is level and very poorly drained. It is in depressional areas that are typically adjacent to lakes and ponds, and water covers the surface nearly all year. The areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 100 acres. Most are about 25 acres. Typically, this soil is black muck to a depth of 60 inches or more. Included with this soil in mapping are areas of soils where the mucky material is less than 51 inches thick. The permeability of this Freetown soil is moderate or moderately rapid. Available water capacity is high. The water on the surface and low strength make the soil generally unsuitable for farming, trees, or community development. Water-tolerant shrubs such as leatherleaf and swamp loosestrife cover most areas. Capability subclass: VIIw. More Information on Freetown Soils | Freetown Official Series Description |
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