They formed in residuum weathered from the high-grade metamorphic rocks such as sillimanite schist, phyllite schist, and mica schist. Slopes range from 2 to 45 percent. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is 58 degrees and mean annual precipitation is 49 inches. The solum ranges from 20 to 40 inches thick over a Cr horizon of weathered bedrock. Hard bedrock is deeper than 40 inches.
Reaction is very strongly acid to moderately acid unless limed.
Content of flakes of mica ranges from few to common in the A and upper B horizons, and from few to many in the lower B and C horizons. Rock fragment content ranges from 0 to 60 percent by volume in the A horizon, from 0 to 35 percent in the E, BA, BE, and Bt horizons, and from 15 to 60 percent in the BC and C horizons. Fragments are dominantly gravel or cobbles. The A or Ap horizon has hue of 5YR to 10YR, value of 3 to 5, chroma of 3 to 6. Horizons with a value of 3 are less than 6 inches thick.