The following is a map unit description from the "Soil Survey of Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts (Peragallo, 1989)"
SuB-Sudbury fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes. This is a very deep, nearly level and gently sloping, moderately well drained soil in low areas and slight depressions on glacial outwash plains and terraces. Areas of the soil are irregular in shape and range from 6 to 30 acres.
Typically, the surface layer is very dark grayish brown fine sandy loam about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is about 22 inches thick. It is dark brown and dark yellowish brown sandy loam in the upper part and mottled, yellowish brown loamy sand in the lower part. The substratum is mottled, light yellowish brown stratified sand and fine sand to a depth of 60 inches or more.
Included with this soil in mapping are a few small areas of Merrimac and Walpole soils. Merrimac soils are typically in higher convex areas, and Walpole soils are in swales. Also included are areas where more sand is in the surface layer and the subsoil than in the Sudbury soil. Also included are areas that have a finer textured or firm substratum. Also included are areas where some soil horizons have accumulations of iron. Included areas make up about 15 percent of the map unit.
Soil properties:Permeability: Moderately rapid
in the surface layer and the subsoil and rapid 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 3.0 feet.
Hydrologic group: B.
Most areas of this soil are woodland. Some areas are used as individual homesites. A few areas are cropland or pastureland.
This soil is well suited to cultivated crops and pasture. The seasonal high water table is the major management concern, and subsurface drains are needed for best production of row crops. Farming on the contour, cover crops, and grasses and legumes in the cropping system help to reduce runoff and to control erosion. Restricted grazing is needed during wet conditions.
Potential productivity for eastern white pine on this soil is high. The soil is easily managed for woodland. 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 water away from buildings provides added assurance against damage caused by the seasonal high water table. 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 seasonal high water table and rapid permeability are the main limitations of the soil to use as sites for septic tank absorption fields. If the soil is used as sites for septic tank absorption fields, ground water pollution is a hazard. Because of rapid permeability, the soil readily absorbs but does not adequately filter the effluent. Placing distribution lines in a mound of more suitable fill material helps to overcome these limitations.
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