| Soil property | Relation to site quality | Optimal conditions* |
| Lithology | Affects K, Mg and Ca supply | Coarse mafic; calcareous inclusions |
| pH | Affects nutrient availability | pH 5 to 7 |
| Soil organic matter content | Source of N and P, promotes aggregation | Deep accumlations, >10% |
| Texture | Affects drainage, water and nutrient storage | Sandy loam, loam, silt loam |
| Structure | Promotes aeration, counteracts compaction and high soil strength | Granular |
| Consistency | Affects soil strength | Friable |
| Drainage | Determines soil moisture regime and aeration status | Moderate to well (fresh) |
| Depth of Ah horizon | Location of high biological activity and nutrient availability | >10 cm |
| Stone content | Improves thermal regime, but limits soil volume for rooting | <15% |
| Depth to least permeable layer | Limits rooting space, improves moisture regime in coasre soils | >80 cm |
| Mottling | Reveals poor soil aeration | >75 cm |
| Thickness of B horizon | Enhances growth through increased clay, organic matter and nutrient content within rooting space | >30 cm |