PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS SOIL SURVEY UPDATE

Paxton Soils: Very deep, well drained soil formed in sandy loam eolian mantled material underlain by compact (lodgement) glacial till derived mostly from schist, gneiss and granite. Paxton soils are on smooth convex side slopes and top slopes of glaciated hills and drumlins.

The Official State Soil Of Massachusetts
Paxton Profile
 

Click here to see a picture of a Paxton Soil

Historic 1963 Publication on the benchmark Paxton Soil

Link to Official Series Description
Paxton Pedon Description 2330601 | Paxton Pedon Description 2330602 | Paxton Pedon Description 2330501

Map Unit (s): 305B, 305C, 305D, 306B, 306C, 306D
Map Phases:

  • 305B Paxton fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes.
    305C Paxton fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes.
    305D Paxton fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes.
    306B Paxton fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony.
    306C Paxton fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony.
    306D Paxton fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony.
    •

    Taxonomic Classification: Coarse - loamy, mixed, nonacid, Oxyaquic Dystrochrepts.
    Drainage Class: Well drained.
    Parent Material: Dense glacial till.
    Permeability: Moderate in the solum, slow or very slow in the dense substratum.
    Available Water Holding Capacity: Moderate.
    Soil Reaction: Very strongly acid to moderately acid throughout.
    Depth to Bedrock: Greater than 65 inches.
    Seasonal High Watertable: Depth: 2.5 to 4 feet. Type: Perched. Months: January to May.
    Hydrologic Group: C.
    Hydric Soil: No.
    Flooding/Ponding Potential: Frequency and Type: None.
    Potential Inclusions: Poquonock and Montauk soils are similar inclusions. Poorly drained Norwell, and Ridgebury soils are along drainageways. Moderately well drained Scituate, Birchwood, and Woodbridge soils are on concave slopes.

    Soil Suitability:

    Agriculture: Map unit 305B is a prime farmland soil. Map units 305C, 306C and 306B are important farmland soils.

    Woodland: Well suited for woodland.

    Development: Major limitations related to slow permeability in the dense till substratum. 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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