Bernardston and Pittstown soils formed in compact glacial till. Dutchess soils are deeper than 40 inches to bedrock and Kearsarge and Nassau soils are less than 20 inches to bedrock. Surface runoff is medium to very rapid. Permeability is moderate. Most of these soils are forested.
Common trees are oak and hickory species, sugar maple, and eastern white pine.
Cleared areas are used for hay, pasture, and corn, or are idle. The series is of moderate extent. Sullivan County, New Hampshire, 1981. Cardigan soils were previously included with the Hollis series in mapping.