LOCATION TUSCOLA MI+IL IN OH WI

Established Series
Rev. JEF-NWS-RAR
11/2021

TUSCOLA SERIES

The Tuscola series consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils on lake plains and deltas. They formed in stratified loamy and silty lacustrine deposits. Slope ranges from 0 to 12 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 813 mm (32 inches), and mean annual temperature is about 9.4 degrees C (49 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aquic Hapludalfs

TYPICAL PEDON: Tuscola fine sandy loam, on a 2 percent convex slope in a cultivated field. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise stated.)

Ap--0 to 23 cm (9 inches); dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) fine sandy loam, light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) dry; weak fine granular structure; friable; many fine roots; slightly acid; abrupt smooth boundary. [18 to 30 cm (7 to 12 inches) thick)]

Bt1--23 to 43 cm (9 to 17 inches); dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) silty clay loam; moderate medium angular blocky structure; firm; many fine roots; faint brown (10YR 4/3) clay films on faces of peds and in root channels; few distinct pale brown (10YR 6/3) clay depletions on faces of peds; common medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron in the matrix; moderately acid; clear wavy boundary.

Bt2--43 to 66 cm (17 to 26 inches); brown (10YR 4/3) loam; moderate medium and fine angular blocky structure; firm; common fine roots; faint dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) clay films on faces of peds and in root channels; common fine distinct gray (10YR 6/1) iron depletions in the matrix; few medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron in the matrix; slightly acid; clear wavy boundary.

Btg--66 to 79 cm (26 to 31 inches); grayish brown (10YR 5/2) loam; moderate medium angular blocky structure; firm; few fine roots; faint dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) clay films on faces of peds; few medium distinct gray (N 6/) iron depletions in the matrix; common medium prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6 and 10YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron in the matrix; neutral; clear wavy boundary. [Combined thickness of the Bt and Btg horizons is 41 to 99 cm (16 to 39 inches).]

Cg--79 to 152 cm (31 to 60 inches); grayish brown (10YR 5/2) stratified silt loam, very fine sand, and fine sand; massive; friable; many medium distinct gray (N 6/) iron depletions in the matrix; many medium prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6 and 10YR 5/8) masses of oxidized iron in the matrix; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline.

TYPE LOCATION: Eaton County, Michigan; about 8 miles south of Charlotte; 1,380 feet north and 100 feet west of the southeast corner of sec. 31, T. 1 N., R. 4 W.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Thickness of the solum: 76 to 127 cm (30 to 50 inches)
Depth to the base of the argillic horizon: 58 to 122 cm (23 to 48 inches)
Depth to carbonates: 58 to 122 cm (23 to 48 inches)
Particle-size control section: averages 18 to 35 percent clay
Mean annual soil temperature: 9.4 to 13.3 degrees C (49 to 56 degrees F)

Ap horizon:
Hue: 7.5YR or 10YR
Value: 3 or 4, 6 or 7 dry
Chroma of 1 to 3
Texture: fine sandy loam, loamy fine sand, sandy loam, very fine sandy loam, loam, or silt loam
Reaction: moderately acid to neutral

A horizon, where present:
Thickness: 2.5 to 10 cm (1 to 4 inches)
Hue: 7.5YR or 10YR
Value: 3, 5 dry
Chroma: 2

Some pedons have a BA horizon.

E or BE horizon, where present:
Hue: 10YR
Value: 5 or 6
Chroma: 3 or 4
Texture: fine sandy loam, loamy fine sand, sandy loam, very fine sandy loam, loam, or silt loam
Reaction: moderately acid to neutral

Bt or Btg horizon:
Hue: 7.5YR to 2.5Y
Value: 4 to 6
Chroma: 2 to 6
Texture: silty clay loam, clay loam, silt loam, loam, sandy clay loam, fine sandy loam, or sandy loam; thin strata 6 mm to 2.5 cm (1/4 to 1 inch) thick of very fine sand, very fine sandy loam, loamy very fine sand, fine sandy loam, loamy fine sand, silt, and fine sand are in most pedons
Reaction: moderately acid to neutral

Some pedons have a BC or BCg horizon.

C horizon:
Hue: 7.5YR or 10YR
Value: 4 to 6
Chroma: 1 to 6
Texture: stratified silt loam, fine sand, loamy fine sand, very fine sand, very fine sandy loam, and fine sandy loam; strata of clay, silty clay, or silty clay loam 1 to 8 cm (1/2 to 3 inches) thick are in many pedons
Reaction: slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline

COMPETING SERIES: These are the Bogart, Centerburg, Cygnet, Haney, Houcktown, Jenera, Jugtown, Nicely, Passport, Reaville, Scattersville, Swampoodle, Thackery, Vallonia, Vanlue, and Williamstown series. Bogart, Centerburg, Haney, Jenera, Jugtown, Thackery, and Vanlue soils have 1 percent or more rock fragments in the lower part of the series control section. Cygnet, Houcktown, and Williamstown soils have a densic contact within the series control section. Nicely series are more than 122 cm (48 inches) to the base of the argillic horizon. Passport soils do not have carbonates within a depth of 122 cm (48 inches. Reaville soils have a lithic contact within a depth of 102 cm (40 inches). Scattersville and Swampoodle soils are more acid than slightly alkaline in the lower part of the series control section. Vallonia soils are in warmer climates with a mean annual temperature higher than 9.4 degrees C (49 degrees F).

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Tuscola soils are on lake plains and deltas of Wisconsin age. Slope ranges from 0 to 12 percent. They formed in stratified loamy and silty lacustrine deposits. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 737 to 940 mm (29 to 37 inches). Mean annual temperature is about 9.4 degrees C (49 degrees F). Mean summer temperature is about 21 degrees C (70 degrees F). Frost-free period is 130 to 180 days. Elevation is 152 to 366 meters (500 to 1,200 feet) above mean sea level.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: The well drained Sisson, somewhat poorly drained Kibbie, and poorly drained or very poorly drained Colwood soils are in a drainage sequence with Tuscola soils and are common associates. In some places the somewhat poorly drained Del Rey soils are associated on lake plains.

DRAINAGE AND SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY: Moderately well drained. Depth to an apparent seasonal high water table ranges from 46 to 76 cm (1.5 to 2.5 feet) between November and April in normal years. Potential for surface runoff is negligible to medium. Saturated hydraulic conductivity is moderately high. Permeability is moderate.

USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are cultivated. Principal crops are corn, small grain, soybeans, and hay. Small areas are in permanent pasture or woodland. Native vegetation is forest of sugar maple, oak, and American basswood.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: MLRAs 95B, 97, 98, 99, 110, 111B, 111D, and 111E in southern Michigan, northwestern Ohio, eastern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and northern Indiana. The type location is in MLRA 98. The series is of moderate extent.

SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (SSRO) RESPONSIBLE: AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS

SERIES ESTABLISHED: Tuscola County, Michigan, 1926.

REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are:
Ochric epipedon: from the surface to a depth of 23 cm (9 inches) (Ap horizon).
Argillic horizon: from a depth of 23 to 79 cm (9 to 31 inches) (Bt1, Bt2, and Btg horizons).
Aquic conditions: iron depletions in all horizons below a depth of 43 cm (17 inches) (Bt2, Btg, Cg horizon).

National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.