Tunbridge Soil

Vermont's State Soil - Tunbridge

Fig 1 - A soil profile of Tunbridge

 

Botanists look at plant features, such as leaf shape and number of flower petals, to describe and classify plants. Whereas, soil scientists look at things like soil horizons (layers) and depth to bedrock to describe and classify soils. There is even a soil key (taxonomy) that allows one to key out a particular soil classification. A soil profile is defined as: a vertical section of the soil through all its horizons.

 

Tunbridge Soil Profile (see Fig. 1)

Surface layer: very dark brown, partially decomposed organic material
Subsurface layer: gray fine sandy loam
Subsoil - upper: dark brown fine sandy loam
Subsoil - lower: brown channery fine sandy loam
Bedrock: schist

General Description of Tunbridge Soil

The Tunbridge series consists of loamy, well-drained soils that formed in Wisconsin-age glacial till. These soils are 20 to 40 inches deep over schist, gneiss, phyllite, or granite bedrock. They occur extensively in mountainous areas of Vermont, in all but one county.

Tunbridge soils are used mainly for woodland. White ash, American beech, white birch, yellow birch, hemlock, white pine, red spruce, red maple, and sugar maple are typical species. Sugar maple is especially important; Vermont produces the largest amount of maple syrup in the U.S. Some areas have been cleared and are used for hay and pasture. Recreational uses are common on these soils. They include trails for hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and skiing.

In addition to having certain soil characteristics and typical land usage, a image of a "typical landscape" where the soil is found helps to complete the description.

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