(Click the image to see an enlargement.) As you can see from the picture, Kalkaska sand is quite distinctive, with very obvious layers of separation. Many people find it quite striking and nice to look at. Both of these facts helped the Michigan government decide on Kalkaska sand as the state soil. On the top level there is a couple inches of top soil which is made up of decayed vegetable matter or humus from the trees and other plants growing there. Underneath this rich topsoil is a thicker area of lighter sand, which can be up to two feet thick in parts but is usually less than one foot thick. Underneath this is a dark reddish brown sandy subsoil which becomes browner the deeper you go (another two feet, usually) until it fades to a yellowish brown sand. This soil is good for certain types of trees and some crops such as strawberries and potatoes, but isn't much good at growing staple crops such as corn or wheat. The main characteristics which describe Kalkaska sand are:
Dominantly sand but the texture of the surface layer ranges from sand to loamy sand.
Color:
Typically, a black surface layer, over a light gray subsurface layer, with a dark reddish brown to yellowish brown subsoil and a light yellowish brown substratum at about 3 feet.
Drainage:
Well drained, low water holding capacity. Usually very dry.
Permeability:
Water is absorbed rapidly and quickly flows through the soil.
Nearly level to steeply sloping.
Vegetation:
Soil formed under supporting hardwood forest cover.
Parent Material:
Sandy glacial deposits.
Setting:
Outwash plains, valley trains, ground moraines and old beach deposits.
Use:
Dominantly woodland, but also used for cropland, building sites, and recreation areas.
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