The State Soil of Alabama

Senate Joint Resolution No. 107, adopted by the Legislature of Alabama on April 22, 1997, made soils of the Bama Series the official state soil of Alabama.

A typical Bama soil profile consists of a five inch topsoil of dark brown fine sandy loam; a six inch subsurface of fine sandy loam; and a red clay loam and sandy clay loam subsoil to sixty inches or more.

The Bama soil is in the Ultisols soil order and is classified as fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Typic Paleudults. Ultisols are old, highly weathered soils developed under woodland vegetation. They are generally low in natural fertility. The term "fine-loamy" indicates that the subsoil has between 18-35 percent clay with more than 15 percent sand. The term "siliceous" means that the sand and silt-size particles in the upper part of the subsoil is more than 90 percent (by weight) silica minerals or other extremely durable minerals that are resistant to weathering. The term "subactive" implies that the clay fraction in the upper part of the subsoil is dominantly low activity clays. "Thermic" refers to an average annual soil temperature of between 15° and 22° C (59°–72° F).

Bama soils occur in 26 counties in Alabama. The Bama soils occur on more than 360,000 acres, mainly in the western and central part of the state, paralleling major river systems. They formed in thick deposits of loamy fluvial or marine sediments. Bama soils are well drained, have desirable physical properties, and are on high positions of the landscape, making them well suited for most agricultural and urban uses. They are well suited to cultivated crops, pasture, hay, woodland, and most urban uses. Cotton and corn are the principal cultivated crops.

See a graphic showing the counties in Alabama where the Bama soil is located.

For information on all symbols and emblems for the State of Alabama, visit the Alabama Department of Archives and History website.

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