114—Ben Lomond-Felton complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes. This complex consists mainly of soils in concave areas near drainageways. Elevation ranges from 400 to 3,000 feet but is dominantly less than 2,000 feet. The mean annual precipitation is about 45 inches, and the mean annual air temperature is about 56° F. The frost-free season ranges from 220 to 245 days.
This complex is about 35 percent Ben Lomond sandy loam and 35 percent Felton sandy loam.
Included with these soils in mapping are areas of Nisene loam, Aptos sandy loam, and Lompico loam. Also included are small areas of Catelli sandy loam, Hecker gravelly sandy loam, and soils that are similar to these Ben Lomond and Felton soils but have slopes of less than 30 percent or more than 50 percent.
The Ben Lomond soil is deep and well drained. It formed in residuum derived from sandstone or granitic rock. Typically, the soil has a 2-inch mat of partially decomposed needles and twigs. The surface layer is dark grayish brown, slightly acid and neutral sandy loam about 19 inches thick. The subsoil is brown, medium acid sandy loam about 11 inches thick. The substratum is pale brown, medium acid sandy loam about 16 inches thick. Weathered sandstone is at a depth of 46 inches.
Permeability of the Ben Lomond soil is moderately rapid. Effective rooting depth is 40 to 60 inches. Available water capacity is 4.0 to 7.5 inches. Runoff is rapid, and the hazard of erosion is high.
The Felton soil is deep and well drained. It formed in residuum derived from sandstone, shale, schist, or siltstone. Typically, the surface layer is dark grayish brown and brown, slightly acid sandy loam about 11 inches thick. The subsoil is brown and yellowish red, slightly acid and strongly acid sandy clay loam and clay loam about 32 inches thick. The substratum is variegated light brownish gray and light olive brown, strongly acid loam and sandy loam about 20 inches thick. Weathered sandstone is at a depth of 63 inches. Permeability of the Felton soil is moderately slow. Effective rooting depth is 40 to 72 inches. Available water capacity is 5.5 to 10.0 inches. Runoff is rapid, and the hazard of erosion is high.
These soils are used mainly for timber, recreation, wildlife habitat, and watershed. They are also used for firewood production and as homesites. This complex is well suited to the production of redwood. It is capable of producing 13,360 cubic feet, or 70,000 board feet (International rule), of merchantable timber per acre from a fully stocked, even-aged stand of 80-year-old trees.
This complex provides habitat for band-tailed pigeon, jay, hawk, deer, raccoon, coyote, bobcat, rabbit, squirrel, mice, salamander, tree frog, lizard, and snake.
These soils are poorly suited to building site development and onsite sewage disposal because they have steep slopes. Capability subclass 6e (4), nonirrigated; Storie index 34 for the Ben Lomond soil, and 37 for the Felton soil.