MICHIGAN FORESTS FOREVER TEACHERS GUIDE

SOIL TEXTURE TRIANGLE

Soil texture is a key soil descriptor.  Particle sizes can be ascertained in a laboratory to determine what proportion a particular sample is due to sand, silt, and/or clay.  The chart below illustrates how various mixtures of sand, silt, and/or clay make up soil textural classifications.  Sometimes, silt is mistakenly called clay because wet silt can be slippery when wet and stick to boots.  While the two may appear similar, the differences to plant roots is important, as well as the particals providing available water and nutrients.  Also, if chemicals are applied, most in agricultural operations (much less so in forestry), the differences in particle size is critical .  

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