The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts (Peragallo, 1989)"
StB-Scituate fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony. This is a very deep, gently sloping, moderately well drained soil in low areas on tops, the lower slopes, and depressions of uplands. Areas of the soil are irregular in shape and range from 6 to 80 acres. Stones 10 to 24 inches in diameter cover 1 to 15 percent of the surface.
Typically, the surface layer is black fine sandy loam about 5 inches thick. The subsoil is about 27 inches thick. It is dark brown to dark yellowish brown sandy loam in the upper part and mottled, light olive brown gravelly loamy sand in the lower part. The substratum is firm, mottled, grayish brown gravelly loamy sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of extremely stony Woodbridge soils in positions on the landscape similar to those of the Scituate soil. Also included are small areas of extremely stony Ridgebury soils in depressions and extremely stony Montauk soils on knolls. Included areas make up about 15 percent of the map unit.
Soil properties:Permeability: Moderately rapid
in the surface layer and the subsoil and slow in the
substratum.
Available water capacity: Moderate.
Soil reaction: Very strongly acid to moderately acid
throughout.
Depth to bedrock: More than 60 inches.
Depth to the seasonal high water table: 1.5 to 2.5 feet.
Hydrologic group: C.
Most areas of this soil are woodland. Some areas are pastureland, and some are used as individual homesites.
Unless the stones on the surface are removed, the soil is poorly suited to cultivated crops. The soil is fairly suited to pasture, but stones on the surface limit the use of conventional farming equipment.
Potential productivity for northern red oak on this soil is moderate. The soil is easily managed for woodland use. Plant competition at regeneration is moderate if conifers are grown. Thinning crowded stands to accepted standard stocking levels allows more vigorous growth. Shelterwood cutting, seed-tree cutting, and clearcutting help to establish natural regeneration or to provide suitable planting sites. Removing or controlling competing vegetation allows best growth of newly established seedlings. Pruning helps to improve the quality of white pine.
Constructing buildings without basements, above the seasonal high water table, helps to protect the interior from damage by the seasonal high water table. Tile drains around foundations and the use of sump pumps in basements help to lower the seasonal high water table. Landscaping designed to drain surface runoff away from buildings also helps to protect the interior from damage by the seasonal high water table. The large stones in the soil generally hinder excavation operations. Constructing roads on raised, coarse textured base material and providing adequate side ditches and culverts help to protect the pavement from damage by the seasonal high water table and potential frost action. The large stones generally limit road construction.
The seasonal high water table and permeability are the main limitations to use of this soil as sites for septic tank absorption fields. Placing distribution lines in a mound of more suitable fill material helps to overcome these limitations. The large stones generally limit the installation of distribution lines.
Back to the Norfolk/Suffolk Home Page
