Near the type location, the mean annual air temperature is about 56 degrees F. and the mean annual precipitation is about 42 inches. Thickness of the solum ranges from 40 to 60 inches. Depth to bedrock is greater than 60 inches. Drainage mottles with chroma of 2 or less are below the upper 10 inches of the argillic horizon, and within 36 inches of the soil surface. Rock fragments of sandstone and siltstone range from 10 to 30 percent in the A and BA horizons and 15 to 60 percent in the Bt, BC and C horizons, but average 15 to 35 percent in the control section.
Unlimed soils are very strongly acid to moderately acid.
The A or Ap horizon has hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 2 through 5, and chroma of 2 through 4. Texture is silt loam or loam. The BA horizon has hue of 7.5YR, 10YR, or 2.5Y, value of 4 or 5 and chroma of 2 through 4. Texture is silt loam or loam. The Bt horizon has hue of 7.5YR, 10YR, or 2.5Y, value of 4 through 6 and chroma of 2 through 8.