The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts (Peragallo, 1989)"
ChC-Chariton-Hollis-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes. This map unit consists of strongly sloping soils on uplands where the underlying bedrock is near the surface. The very deep, well drained Charlton soil is in low pockets. The shallow, somewhat excessively drained Hollis soil is on the tops of hills and ridges near rock outcrops. Stones and boulders 1 0 inches to 1 0 feet in diameter cover 0 to 1 0 percent of the surface. A typical map unit is about 47 percent Charlton soil, 1 8 percent Hollis soil, 1 0 percent Rock outcrop, and 25 percent other soils. These soils and areas of exposed bedrock are intermingled so closely that it was not practical to separate them at the scale used for mapping. Areas of this map unit are irregular in shape and range from 6 to 200 acres.
Typically, the surface layer of the Charlton soil is black fine sandy loam about 1 inch thick. The subsurface layer is dark brown fine sandy loam about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is yellowish brown fine sandy loam about 30 inches thick. The substratum is light brownish gray sandy loam to a depth of 60 inches or more. In some areas the surface layer is very fine sandy loam. In some areas the subsoil is redder.
Typically, the surface layer of the Hollis soil is black fine sandy loam about 3 inches thick. The subsoil is dark yellowish brown fine sandy loam about 1 1 inches thick. Bedrock is at a depth of 14 inches. In areas the substratum is pale yellow fine sandy loam, The bedrock is granite, basalt, diorite, or conglomerate.
Included with this complex in mapping are small areas of Canton and Chatfield soils on the same landscape as the Charlton and Hollis soils. Also included are areas of Scituate soils and small, wet areas in depressions and along drainageways. Also included are areas of Montauk soils on smoother parts of the landscape. Also included are small areas of soils that have slopes of 1 5 to 25 percent. Included areas make up about 25 percent of this map unit.
Permeability: Moderate or moderately rapid throughout in both Charlton and Hollis soils.
Available water capacity: Charlton-moderate; Hollislow.
Soil reaction: Very strongly acid to moderately acid in both Charlton and Hollis soils.
Depth to bedrock: Charlton-more than 60 inches@
Depth to the seasonal high water table: More than 6 feet
in both Charlton and Hollis soils.
Hydrologic group.- Charlton-B; Hollis-C/D.
Most areas of the Charlton and Hollis soils in this complex are woodland, Some areas are used as individual homesites.
These soils are poorly suited to cultivated crops and to pastureland because of the exposed bedrock, slope, and stones on the surface.
Potential productivity for northern red oak on this soil is moderate. Management concerns are shallow depth to bedrock, low available water capacity, and slope. Rock outcrops and slope limit the use of equipment. Proper thinning of the stands will help to minimize the hazard of windthrow. Minimizing soil disturbance and retaining the sponge-like mulch of leaves help to absorb precipitation, to reduce runoff, and to control erosion. Some areas are suitable for hand-planting of trees.
The Charlton soil is suited to use as sites for dwellings with basements. The Hollis soil is poorly suited to use as sites for both dwellings with basements and septic tank absorption fields because it is less than 20 inches deep to bedrock. Some suitable homesites are on these soils, but a lot size larger than customary is generally needed. When homesites are under construction, such conservation measures as diversions and temporary or permanent plant cover commonly will control erosion. Because of slope, installing cross-slope distribution lines for septic tank absorption fields is generally needed for proper operation.
The Charlton and Hollis soils are in capability subclass VIIs.
Back to the Norfolk/Suffolk Home Page
