Tusquitee soils are on benches, foot slopes, toe slopes, and fans in coves in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Elevations are generally between 2,000 and 4,000 feet. Slopes are commonly between 15 and 50 percent but range from 2 to 95 percent. These soils formed in loamy colluvium derived from materials weathered from igneous and metamorphic crystalline rocks such as granite, mica gneiss, hornblende gneiss, and schist. Tusquitee soils receive moisture from surrounding uplands, and springs and local seepage areas are common.
Climate is temperate and humid.
Near the type location, the mean annual air temperature is about 52 degrees F., and the mean annual precipitation is about 52 inches. In addition to the Porters and Unaka soils, these include the Ashe , Brevard , Chandler , Chestnut , Cowee , Cullasaja , Edneyville , Evard , Fannin , Greenlee , Haywood , Plott , Saunook , Sylva , Tate , Tuckasegee , Watauga , and Whiteside soils. Ashe, Chandler, Chestnut, Cowee, Edneyville, Evard, Fannin, Plott, Porters, Unaka, and Watauga soils are on mountain ridges and side slopes. Brevard, Cullasaja, Greenlee, Haywood, Saunook, Sylva, Tate, Tuckasegee, and Whiteside soils are in colluvial landscape positions. Ashe, Chestnut, and Cowee soils have bedrock at depths of 20 to 40 inches.