PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS SOIL SURVEY UPDATE

Birchwood Soils: Very deep, moderately well drained soil formed in sandy eolian deposits underlain by loamy dense glacial till. Birchwood soils are on the lower side slopes and toe slopes and on gently sloping areas of ground moraines and drumlins.

Birchwood ProfileClick to see a Birchwood Soil Profile

Link to Official Series Description
Birchwood laboratory data S93-MA-023-003 | Click for Pedon Description | Photo of this Pedon
Birchwood laboratory data S94-MA-023-003 | Click for Pedon Description | Water table Data from Mattapoisett Monitoring Well | Water table data from Eames Way site | Birchwood Soil Interpretation Record (SOIL5)
Birchwood Profile Descriptions:
 2332001 |  2332002 |  2332003 |  2332004 | 2332105 |  2332106 |  2332107 |  2332108 | 2332109 | 2332010 (Pedon from above photo) | 2332111 | S942308

Map Unit (s): 320A, 320B, 320C, 321A, 321B, 321C
Map Unit Phases:

  • 320A Birchwood loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes.
    320B Birchwood loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes.
    320C Birchwood loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
    321A Birchwood loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, very stony.
    321B Birchwood loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony.
    321C Birchwood loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony.
    •

    Taxonomic Classification: Sandy over loamy, mixed, nonacid, mesic, Aquic Udorthents.
    Drainage Class: Moderately well drained.
    Parent Material: Sandy eolian and/or fluvial material underlain by loamy dense glacial till.
    Permeability: Moderately rapid to rapid in the solum, slow to very slow in the dense substratum.
    Available Water Holding Capacity: Low.
    Soil Reaction: Very strongly to slightly acid throughout.
    Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 65 inches.
    Seasonal High Watertable: Depth: 1.5 to 3 feet. Type: Perched. Months: November to April.
    Hydrologic Group: C.
    Hydric Soil: No (may have hydric inclusions).
    Flooding/Ponding Potential: Frequency and Type: None.
    Potential Inclusions: Moderately well drained Woodbridge, Scituate, and Newfields soils are on similar landforms. Poorly drained Norwell, and Ridgebury soils are on lower elevations and along drainage-ways. Well drained Paxton, Poquonock and Montauk soils are on convex slopes and on higher elevations.

    Soil Suitability:

    Agriculture: Map unit 320A and 320B are prime farmland map units. Map units 320C, 321A and 321B are important farmland map units. Limitations for Birchwood soils are related to droughtyness, irrigation is needed for optimal yield. Surface (map units 321) and subsurface stones and boulders may cause problems with farm equipment.

    Woodland: Well suited for woodland.

    Development: Major limitations related to slow permeability in the dense till substratum and seasonal high watertables. Large surface and subsurface stones and boulders may interfere with excavation. Erosion hazards are likely during development, measures should be taken to prevent erosion.

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