LOCATION AXTELL TX+OK
Established Series
Rev. GLL-RM-CJV
08/2017
AXTELL SERIES
The Axtell series consists of very deep, moderately well drained soils that formed in clayey alluvium of Pleistocene age derived from mudstone. These nearly level to strongly sloping soils are on treads and risers on stream terraces. Slopes range from 0 to 12 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 984 mm (38 in) and the mean annual air temperature is about 19 degrees C (66 Degrees F).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, thermic Udertic Paleustalfs
TYPICAL PEDON: Axtell very fine sandy loam - post oak savannah. (Colors are for dry soil unless otherwise stated.)
A--0 to 8 cm (0 to 3 in); brown (10YR 5/3) very fine sandy loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky structure; very hard, very friable; many fine to coarse roots; common fine tubular pores; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. (8 to 25 cm [3 to 10 in] thick)
E--8 to 20 cm (3 to 8 in); very pale brown (10YR 7/3) very fine sandy loam, pale brown (10YR 6/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky structure; hard, very friable; many fine to coarse roots; common fine tubular pores; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary. (0 to 23 cm [0 to 9 in] thick )
Bt--20 to 53 cm (8 to 21 in); reddish yellow (5YR 6/6) clay loam, yellowish red (5YR 5/6) moist; weak medium and coarse angular blocky structure; extremely hard, very firm; moderately sticky, moderately plastic; many fine to coarse roots between peds; few fine tubular pores; 15 percent distinct pressure faces; 1 percent medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6), moist, masses of oxidized iron and 10 percent medium distinct light brownish gray (10YR 6/2), moist, iron depletions; very strongly acid; clear wavy boundary. (15 to 38 cm [6 to 15 in] thick)
Btss1--53 to 74 cm (21 to 29 in); light gray (10YR 7/2) clay, light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) moist; moderate medium and coarse angular blocky structure; few wedge-shaped peds; extremely hard, very firm; moderately sticky, moderately plastic; common fine, medium, and few coarse roots; few fine tubular pores; 5 percent patchy clay films on faces of peds and 15 percent slickensides (pedogenic) and 37 percent distinct pressure faces; 1 percent fine iron-manganese concretions and 1 percent fine distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6), moist, masses of oxidized iron and 5 percent medium distinct yellowish red 5YR 5/6), moist, masses of oxidized iron and 5 percent coarse distinct yellowish red (5YR 5/6) moist, masses of oxidized iron; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary.
Btss2--74 to 94 cm (29 to 37 in); grayish brown (10YR 5/2) clay loam, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; strong medium and coarse angular blocky structure; few wedge-shaped peds; extremely hard, very firm; moderately sticky, moderately plastic; common fine and medium roots; few fine tubular pores; 15 percent faint slickensides (pedogenic) and 37 percent distinct pressure faces; 1 percent fine iron-manganese concretions and 1 percent medium faint dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4), moist, masses of oxidized iron; slight effervescence; moderately acid; clear wavy boundary. (Combined thickness of the Btss horizon is 38 to 114 cm [15 to 45 in])
Btky1--94 to 135 cm (37 to 53 in); light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) clay loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) moist; moderate medium and coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate coarse angular blocky; extremely hard, very firm; moderately sticky, moderately plastic; common fine and medium roots; 15 percent faint pressure faces and 25 percent continuous clay films on all faces of peds; 1 percent fine iron-manganese concretions and 10 percent fine distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6), moist, masses of iron oxidized iron; 7 percent carbonate masses infused into matrix along faces of peds and 1 percent fine gypsum masses; strong effervescence; neutral; gradual wavy boundary.
Btky2--135 to 152 cm (53 to 75 in); light gray (2.5Y 7/2) clay loam, light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) moist; moderate medium and coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate coarse angular blocky; extremely hard, very firm, moderately sticky, moderately plastic; common fine and medium roots; 15 percent faint pressure faces; few vertical streaks of dark yellowish brown soil materials; 1 percent fine iron-manganese concretions and 1 percent fine distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6), moist, masses of oxidized iron and 5 percent medium brownish yellow (10YR 6/8), moist, masses of oxidized iron and 5 percent coarse brownish yellow (10YR 6/8), moist, masses of oxidized iron; 3 percent carbonate masses infused into matrix along faces of peds and 1 percent fine gypsum masses; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary.
Btky3--152 to 190 cm (75 to 94 in); light gray (2.5Y 7/2) clay loam, light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) moist; moderate medium and coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate coarse angular blocky; extremely hard, very firm, moderately sticky, moderately plastic; common fine and medium roots; 15 percent faint pressure faces; 1 percent fine iron-manganese concretions and 1 percent fine distinct grayish brown (10YR 5/2), moist, masses of oxidized iron and 5 percent medium brownish yellow (10YR 6/8), moist, masses of oxidized iron and 5 percent coarse brownish yellow (10YR 6/8), moist, masses of oxidized iron; 3 percent carbonate masses infused into matrix along faces of peds and 1 percent fine gypsum masses; strong effervescence; slightly alkaline; gradual wavy boundary. (Combined thickness of the Btky horizon is 41 to 142 cm [16 to 56 in])
Btkssy--190 to 203 cm (75 to 80 in); light gray (2.5Y 7/2) clay loam, brownish yellow (10YR 6/8) moist; moderate medium and coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium and coarse angular blocky; extremely hard, very firm, moderately sticky and moderately plastic; few fine roots; 15 percent faint slickensides (pedogenic); 1 percent fine iron-manganese concretions; 1 percent carbonate masses and 1 percent gypsum masses; 1 percent 2 to 75 mm quartzite fragments; strong effervescence; slightly alkaline.
TYPE LOCATION: Navarro County, Texas; from the intersection of Texas State Highway 22 and Farm Road 55 in Blooming Grove; 1.1 miles south on Farm Road 55; 3.8 miles west-southwest on county road to flood prevention structure; located about 250 ft west of the west channel below flood prevention structure and 100 ft north in post oak timber.
USGS topographic quadrangle:
Latitude 32 degrees, 03 minutes 2 seconds N,
Longitude 96 degrees, 43 minutes 56 seconds W.
Datum: WGS84
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Depth of solum: Greater than 150 cm (60 in)
Soil moisture: Dry in some or all parts of the soil moisture control section for more than 90 or more cumulative days and moist in some parts either for more than 180 cumulative days per year or for 90 or more consecutive days in normal years. Ustic soil moisture regime
Depth of abrupt texture change: 15 to 47 cm (6 to 19 in)
Rock fragments: 0 to 35 percent quartzite gravels and 0 to 5 percent cobbles
Depth to secondary carbonates: 76 to 165 cm (30 to 65 in)
Clay content: 35 to 50 percent in particle size control section
Coefficient Of Linear Extentibility: 0.07 to 0.10 in upper 100 cm (40 in) of the Bt horizon(s)
Linear Extensibility: greater than 6 cm (2 in) in upper 127 cm (50 in) of solum
Additional Features: Red, brown or gray redoximorphic features in most pedons or matrix is mottled with these colors
A or Ap horizon(s)
Hue: 10YR dry or moist
Value: 4 to 7 dry or moist
Chroma: 2 to 4 dry or moist
Texture: fine sandy loam, very fine sandy loam, loam
Reaction: strongly acid to slightly acid
E horizon, where present
Hue: 10YR dry or moist
Value: 5 to 8 dry or moist
Chroma: 2 to 4 dry or moist
Texture: fine sandy loam, very fine sandy loam, loam
Reaction: strongly acid to slightly acid
Upper Bt horizon(s)
Hue: 2.5YR to 2.5Y dry or moist
Value: 4 to 7 dry or moist
Chroma: 1 to 8 dry or moist
Texture: clay loam, clay, sandy clay loam
Reaction: very strongly acid to neutral
Base saturation: 50 to 75 percent
Lower Bt horizon(s)
Hue: 2.5YR to 2.5Y dry or moist
Value: 4 to 7 dry or moist
Chroma: 1 to 8 dry or moist
Texture: clay loam, clay, sandy clay loam
Reaction: strongly acid to slightly alkaline
Base saturation: 50 to 75 percent
Btss, Btssy horizon(s), where present
Hue: 2.5YR to 5Y dry or moist
Value: 4 to 7 dry or moist
Chroma: 1 to 8 dry or moist
Texture: clay loam, clay
Reaction: very strongly acid to slightly alkaline
Gypsum: 0 to 3 percent
Btk, Bty, Btkss and/or Btkssy horizon(s), where present
Hue: 7.5YR, 10YR, 2.5Y dry or moist
Value: 5 to 8 dry or moist
Chroma: 2 to 8 dry or moist
Texture: clay loam, clay, sandy clay loam
Reaction: slightly acid to moderately alkaline
Calcium Carbonate Equivalent: 2 to 15 percent
Gypsum: 0 to 3 percent
B't, BC and/or BCk horizon(s), where present
Hue: 7.5YR to 2.5Y dry or moist
Value: 4 to 7 dry or moist
Chroma: 2 to 8 dry or moist
Texture: clay loam, clay, sandy clay loam
Reaction: moderately acid to moderately alkaline
Calcium Carbonate Equivalent: 0 to 10
Gypsum: 0 to 3 percent
Effervescence: strongly
COMPETING SERIES:These are the
Bremond (TX),
Crockett (TX),
Crosstell (TX),
Kurten (TX),
Navo (TX),
Zack (TX) and
Zulch (TX) series.
Bremond soils: moderately acid to neutral in the upper argillic horizon
Crockett soils: moderately acid to neutral in the upper argillic horizon and have base saturation of 75 to 100 percent
Crosstell soils: solum thickness of 100 to 150 cm (40 to 60 in) and are underlain by weathered shale and sandstone of the Cretaceous
Woodbine formation
Kurten soils: solum thickness of 100 to 150 cm (40 to 60 in)
Navo soils: do not have an abrupt textural change between the A and Bt horizon
Zack soils: solum thickness of 50 to 100 cm (20 to 40 in) and are underlain by clayey and loamy deltaic sediments of the Yegua
Formation.
Zulch soils: solum thickness from 75 to 100 cm (30 to 40 in) and are underlain by weathered shale of the Yegua formation
Similar soils: These are the
Edge (TX) and
Gredge (TX) soils
Edge soils: Do not have vertic properties, have a significant decrease in clay within 90 cm (35 in) of the surface and have a solum thickness from 100 to 150 cm (40 to 60 in)
Gredge soils: Do not have vertic properties, have a significant decrease in clay within 90 cm (35 in) of the surface
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING:
Parent Material: Clayey alluvium of Pleistocene Age derived from mudstone
Landscapes: Inland dissected coastal plains, river valleys, disected plains
Landform: Treads and risers on stream terraces.
Slope: 0 to 12 percent
Mean Annual Air Temperature: 17 to 21 degrees C (63 to 70 degrees F)
Mean Annual Precipitation: 846 to 1188 mm (33.6 to 46.8 in)
Frost Free Days: 240 to 270 days
Elevation: 41 to 242 m (135 to 794 ft)
Soil Moisture: Udic Ustic
Thornthwaite P-E: 54 to 66
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the
Crockett (TX),
Lufkin (TX),
Rader (TX),
Tabor and
Wilson (TX) series
Crockett soils: located on slightly higher upland positions.
Lufkin and
Wilson soils: located in similar or slightly lower terrace positions and are dominated by colors with chroma 2 or less.
Rader soils are on similar or slightly lower positions, and have fine-loamy control sections.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY:
Drainage class: Moderately well.
Permeability class: Very slow.
Runoff: high on slopes less than 1 percent and very high on slopes of 1 to 12 percent.
USE AND VEGETATION: Mostly cultivated in the past, but now in pasture. Some areas are farmed to corn, grain sorghum, or small grains. Native vegetation is post oak, blackjack oak, hickory, red cedar, greenbriar; grasses include mid and tall grasses such as little bluestem, big bluestem, indiangrass, panicum and paspalum. Ecological site number: R087AY221TX (Claypan Savannah 28-40" PZ).
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Mainly in east-central Texas, but small areas are in Oklahoma. This soil is of large extent.
SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (SSRO) RESPONSIBLE: Temple, Texas
SERIES ESTABLISHED: McLennan County, Texas; 1947. The name "Axtell" comes from the Axtell community in McLennan County.
REMARKS: The Axtell soils were formerly included in the Crockett series. More recently the Edge, Gredge, and Kurten series have been separated out of the Axtell series because they have thinner sola with less clay in the lower Bt horizons. This revision confines the Axtell series to stream terraces or terrace remnants in upland positions. This will reduce the total acres of the series. However, it will still be largely extensive.
Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are:
Ochric epipedon: 0 to 20 cm (0 to 8 in)
Redox depletions with chroma 2 or less: 20 to 53 cm (8 to 21 in)
Argillic horizon: 20 to 203 cm (8 to 203 in)
Redox concentrations: 20 to 203 cm (8 to 80 in)
Slickensides: 53 to 94 cm (21 to 37 in)
Secondary carbonates: 94 to 203 cm (37 to 80 in)
Gypsum accumulations: 94 to 203 cm (37 to 80 in)
Abrupt textural change: At the upper boundary of the Bt horizon
Vertic features: COLE is 0.07 to 0.10
ADDITIONAL DATA: McLennan County, Texas: Soil Survey Laboratory Memo 2; 1954; Profiles 53, 54, 55, and Typical Pedon: Navarro County, Texas: 84TX349001
Taxonomic Version: Keys to Soil Taxonomy, Twelfth Edition, 2014.
National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.