The following map unit description is from the published "Soil Survey of Dukes County, Massachusetts"
Soil Survey of
Dukes County Massachusetts
The following map unit description is from the published "Soil
Survey of Dukes County, Massachusetts"
EcA-Eastchop loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This soil is very deep, nearly level, and excessively drained. It is on broad areas on outwash plains in the western part of Martha's Vineyard. The areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 100 acres. They make up about 1 percent of the survey area.
Typically, the surface layer is dark grayish brown loamy sand about 7 inches thick. The subsoil is yellowish brown loamy sand about 27 inches thick. The substratum is brownish yellow and light yellowish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Carver, Riverhead, and Klej soil soils. Also included are soils that are 20 to 30 percent gravel in the subsoil and substratum and small areas of soils with slopes of 3 to 8 percent. Included areas make up about 20 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this Eastchop soil is rapid or very rapid in the subsoil and substratum. Available water capacity is low. The depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.
Most areas of this soil are in woodland. Some areas are used as cropland.
This soil is poorly suited to cultivated crops, hay, and pasture because of the low available water capacity. Mixing crop residue and manure into the surface layer helps to retain water, maintain tilth, and increase organic matter content. The use of proper .stocking rates and deferred and rotational grazing help to maintain desirable pasture plant species.
This soil is poorly suited to woodland productivity because of droughtiness. Thinning crowded stands, especially those that contain undesirable species, will help to increase growth of desirable species. The common trees on this soil are pitch pine, scrub oak, scarlet oak, black oak, and white oak.
This soil is generally suitable as a site for buildings with or without basements. The droughty nature of the soil is a limitation for lawns and shallow-rooted trees and shrubs. Adding a layer of topsoil and frequent watering during dry periods will help to overcome this limitation. In some areas this soil does not adequately filter the effluent from septic tank absorption fields, causing a hazard of pollution to ground water. Low density housing reduces the volume of effluent, thus lessening the pollution hazard.
This soil is in capability subclass IIIs.
EcB-Eastchop loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes. This soil is very deep, gently sloping, and excessively drained. It is on small hills and knolls in the western part of Martha's Vineyard and on the Elizabeth Islands. The areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 4 to 75 acres. They make up about 3 percent of the survey area.
Typically, the surface layer is dark grayish brown loamy sand about 7 inches thick. The subsoil is yellowish brown loamy sand about 27 inches thick. The substratum is brownish yellow and light yellowish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Carver, Chilmark, Klej, Nantucket, and Riverhead soils. Also included are soils that are 20 to 30 percent gravel in the subsoil and substratum and small areas of soils with slopes of 0 to 3 percent or 8 to 15 percent. Included areas make up about 20 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this Eastchop soil is rapid or very rapid in the subsoil and substratum. Available water capacity is low. The depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.
Most areas of this soil are in woodland. Some areas are in cropland.
This soil is poorly suited to cultivated crops, hay, and pasture because of the low available water capacity. Mixing crop residue and manure into the surface layer helps to retain water, maintain tilth, and increase organic matter content. The use of proper stocking rates and deferred and rotational grazing help to maintain desirable pasture plant species.
This soil is poorly suited to woodland productivity because of droughtiness. Thinning crowded stands. especially those that contain undesirable species, will help to increase growth of desirable species. The common trees on this soil are pitch pine, scrub oak, scarlet oak, black oak, and white oak.
This soil is generally suitable as a site for buildings with or without basements. The droughty nature of the soil is a limitation for lawns and shallow-rooted trees and shrubs. Adding a layer of topsoil and frequent watering during dry periods will help to overcome this limitation. In some areas this soil does not adequately filter the effluent from septic tank absorption fields, causing a hazard of pollution to ground water. Low density housing reduces the volume of effluent, thus lessening the pollution hazard.
This soil is in capability subclass IIIs.
EcC-Eastchop loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes. This soil is very deep, strongly sloping, and excessively drained. It is on small hills and ridges in the western part of Martha's Vineyard and on the Elizabeth Islands. The areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 4 to 25 acres. They make up about 3 percent of the survey area.
Typically, the surface layer is dark grayish brown loamy sand about 7 inches thick. The subsoil is yellowish brown loamy sand about 27 inches thick. The substratum is brownish yellow and light yellowish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Chilmark, Nantucket, and Moshup soils. Also included are soils that are 20 to 30 percent gravel in the subsoil and substratum and small areas of soils with slopes of 3 to 8 percent and 15 to 30 percent. Included areas make up about 20 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this Eastchop soil is rapid or very rapid in the subsoil and substratum. Available water capacity is low. The depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.
Most areas of this soil are in woodland. Some areas are used as cropland.
The low available water capacity, slope, and a hazard of erosion make this soil poorly suited to cultivated crops and hay and pasture. Conservation tillage, leaving large amounts of crop residue on the surface, and mixing manure into the surface layer help to retain moisture, reduce erosion, maintain tilth, and increase organic matter content. The use of proper stocking rates and deferred and rotational grazing help to maintain desirable pasture plant species.
This soil is poorly suited to woodland productivity because of droughtiness. Thinning crowded stands, especially those that contain undesirable species, will help to increase growth of desirable species. The common trees on this soil are pitch pine, scrub oak, scarlet oak, black oak, and white oak.
Slope limits the use of this soil as a site for buildings; land shaping is generally needed. Establishing plant cover as soon as possible helps to control erosion on slopes at construction sites. This soil is limited as a site for septic tank absorption fields because of the slope and because in some areas the soil does not adequately filter the effluent, making pollution of ground water a hazard. Low density housing reduces the volume of effluent, thus lessening the pollution hazard. Installing septic tank distribution lines on the contour or in areas that were graded during construction will help to overcome the slope.
This soil is in capability subclass IVs.
EcD-Eastchop loamy sand, 15 to 35 percent slopes. This soil is very deep, moderately steep and steep, and excessively drained. It is on hills and ridges in the western part of Martha's Vineyard and in a few areas on the Elizabeth Islands. The areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 3 to 75 acres. They make up about 1 percent of the survey area.
Typically, the surface is covered with a layer of loose, undecomposed and decomposed leaves and twigs 3 inches thick. The surface layer is very dark brown loamy sand about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is dark brown and yellowish brown loamy sand about 29 inches thick. The substratum is brownish yellow and light yellowish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this Eastchop soil in mapping are small areas of Berryland, Chilmark, Nantucket, and Whitman Variant soils. Also included are soils that are 20 to 30 percent gravel in the subsoil and substratum and soils with slopes of 8 to 15 percent. Included areas make up about 25 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this soil is rapid or very rapid in the subsoil and substratum. Available water capacity is low. The depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.
The low available water capacity, slope, and a hazard of erosion make this soil generally unsuited to farming.
Most areas are wooded, but the soil is poorly suited to woodland productivity because of droughtiness. Thinning crowded stands, especially those that contain undesirable species, will help the growth of desirable species. The hazard of erosion is a management concern, particularly in disturbed areas such as skid trails, landings, and access roads.
Constructing access roads and trails at a slope of 2 to 10 percent and installing water bars will help to prevent erosion. The common trees on this soil are pitch pine, scrub oak, scarlet oak, black oak, and white oak.
Slope limits the use of this soil as a site for buildings; land shaping is generally needed. Establishing plant cover as soon as possible helps to control erosion on slopes at construction sites. This soil is limited as a site for septic tank absorption fields because of the slope and because in some areas the soil does not adequately filter the effluent, making pollution of ground water a hazard. Low density housing reduces the volume of effluent, thus lessening the pollution hazard. Installing septic tank distribution lines on the contour or in areas that were graded during construction will help to overcome the slope.
This soil is in capability subclass VIIs.
EdB-Eastchop loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony. This soil is very deep, gently sloping, and excessively drained. It is on small hills and knolls in the western part of Martha's Vineyard. Stones and boulders cover 1 to 3 percent of the surface area. The areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 100 acres. They make up about 2 percent of the survey area.
Typically, the surface is covered with a layer of loose, undecomposed and decomposed leaves and twigs 3 inches thick. The surface layer is very dark brown loamy sand about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is dark brown and yellowish brown loamy sand about 29 inches thick. The substratum is brownish yellow and light yellowish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Chilmark, Nantucket, and Moshup soils. Also included are soils that are 20 to 30 percent gravel in the subsoil and substratum, small areas of soils with slopes of 0 to 3 percent and 8 to 15 percent, and areas where stones cover more than 3 percent of the surface. Included areas make up about 25 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this Eastchop soil is rapid or very rapid in the subsoil and substratum. Available water capacity is low. The depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.
Most areas of this soil are in woodland. Some areas are used as pasture, and a few areas are used as homesites.
The low available water capacity and the stones and boulders on the surface make this soil generally unsuitable for cultivated crops and poorly suited to hay and pasture. The use of proper stocking rates and deferred and rotational grazing help to maintain desirable pasture plant species. The stones and boulders limit the use of equipment.
This soil is poorly suited to woodland productivity because of droughtiness. Thinning crowded stands, especially those that contain undesirable species, will help to increase growth of desirable species. The common trees on this soil are pitch pine, scrub oak, scarlet oak, black oak, and white oak.
This soil is generally suitable as a site for buildings with or without basements. The droughty nature of the soil is a limitation for lawns and shallow-rooted trees and shrubs. Adding a layer of topsoil and frequent watering during dry periods will help to overcome this limitation. In some areas this soil does not adequately filter the effluent from septic tank absorption fields, causing a hazard of pollution to ground water. Low density housing reduces the volume of effluent, thus lessening the pollution hazard.
This soil is in capability subclass VIs.
EdC-Eastchop loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony. This soil is very deep, strongly sloping, and excessively drained. It is on small hills and ridges in the western part of Martha's Vineyard. Stones and boulders cover 1 to 3 percent of the surface area. The areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 1 00 acres. They make up about 3 percent of the survey area.
Typically, the surface is covered with a layer of loose, undecomposed and decomposed leaves and twigs 3 inches thick. The surface layer is very dark brown loamy sand about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is dark brown and yellowish brown loamy sand about 29 inches thick. The substratum is brownish yellow and light yellowish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Chilmark, Nantucket, and Moshup soils. Also included are soils that are 20 to 30 percent gravel in the subsoil and substratum, soils with slopes of 3 to 8 percent and 15 to 30 percent, and areas where stones cover 3 to 15 percent of the surface. Included areas make up about 25 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this Eastchop soil is rapid or very rapid in the subsoil and substratum. Available water capacity is low. The depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.
Most areas of this soil are in woodland. Some areas are used as pasture, and a few are used as homesites.
The low available water capacity, the stones and boulders on the surface, and slope make this soil generally unsuited to cultivated crops and poorly suited to hay and pasture. The stones and boulders on the surface limit the use of equipment. The use of proper stocking rates and deferred and rotational grazing help to maintain desirable pasture species.
This soil is poorly suited to woodland productivity because of droughtiness. Thinning crowded stands, especially those that contain undesirable species, will help to increase growth of desirable species. The common trees on this soil are pitch pine, scrub oak, scarlet oak, black oak, and white oak.
Slope is a limitation of this soil as a site for buildings, and land shaping is generally needed. Establishing plant cover as soon a possible helps to control erosion on slopes at construction sites. This soil is limited as a site for septic tank absorption fields because of the slope and because the soil in some areas does not adequately filter the effluent, making pollution of ground water a hazard. Low density housing reduces the volume of effluent, thus lessening the pollution hazard. Installing septic tank distribution lines on the contour or in areas that were graded during construction will help to overcome the slope.
This soil is in capability subclass VIs.
EdD-Eastchop loamy sand, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony. This soil is very deep, moderately steep and steep, and excessively drained. It is on hills and ridges in the western part of Martha's Vineyard. Stones and boulders cover 1 to 3 percent of the surface area. The areas of this soil are irregular in shape and range from 5 to 75 acres. They make up about 4 percent of the survey area.
Typically, the surface is covered with a layer of loose, undecomposed and decomposed leaves and twigs 3 inches thick. The surface layer is very dark brown loamy sand about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is dark brown and yellowish brown loamy sand about 29 inches thick. The substratum is brownish yellow and light yellowish brown sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Berryland, Chilmark, Nantucket, and Whitman Variant soils. Also included are soils that are 20 to 30 percent gravel, small areas of soils that have slopes of 8 to 15 percent, and areas where stones cover 3 to 15 percent of the surface. Included areas make up about 25 percent of this unit.
The permeability of this Eastchop soil is rapid or very rapid in the subsoil and substratum. Available water capacity is low. The depth to the seasonal high water table is more than 6 feet.
The low available water capacity, slope, the stones and boulders on the surface, and a hazard of erosion make this soil generally unsuited to farming.
Most areas are wooded, but the soil is poorly suited to woodland productivity because of droughtiness. Thinning crowded stands, especially those that contain undesirable species, will help the growth of desirable species. The hazard of erosion is a management concern, particularly in disturbed areas such as skid trails, landings, and access roads. Constructing access roads and trails at a slope of 2 to 10 percent and installing water bars will help to prevent erosion. The common trees on this soil are pitch pine, scrub oak, scarlet oak, black oak, and white oak.
Slope is a limitation of this soil as a site for buildings, and land shaping is generally needed. Establishing plant cover as soon as possible helps to control erosion on slopes at construction sites. This soil is limited as a site for septic tank absorption fields because of the slope and because in some areas the soil does not adequately filter the effluent, making pollution of ground water a hazard. Low density housing reduces the volume of effluent, thus lessening the pollution hazard. Installing septic tank distribution lines on the contour or in areas that were graded during construction will help to overcome the slope.
This soil is in capability subclass VIIs.
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