OVERVIEW

Brothers 1881 Forest represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next tenure, or to carefully craft a rural residential project for future cabin sites. Terrain is typical of the region and considered rolling to mountainous, with upland hardwood flats and ridges separated by narrow hollows that flank the lower lying stream drainage of the beautiful stream.

Brothers 1881 Forest is a quality oak and yellow poplar-dominated Appalachian timberland investment with a ready-to-harvest timber resource. Situate near the heart of the recreation mecca of the Greenbrier River and New River Gorge, the property offers rural estate qualities with the upside potential for future cabin site development.

This well managed timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation.

The 301+/- acre tract consists of an entire wooded valley more than 1 mile in length through which Suck Creek – a significant clear water tributary of the upper Bluestone River drainage – flows.  The ridges and high knobs tower above the valley floor with elevations approaching 2600’. Spectacular distant views from the upper reaches are reminiscent of the vistas in West Virginia’s northeastern highest mountains.

Not surprising, the trees, shrubs and pasture grasses are highly productive in producing tons and tons of oxygen while at the same time eliminating huge amounts of Carbon Dioxide; Nature’s way of reducing our Carbon Footprint.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Large 301+/- acre parcel surrounded by large farm and woodland tracts.
• Has been in the same family since 1881.
• Land legacy of careful wildlife management coupled with outstanding long-term forest stewardship.
• Harvest-ready hardwood timber.
• Beautiful blue line clear water stream flowing for 1 mile through the heart of the   property.
• Known as one of the premier wildlife habitats in Summers County.
• Nearby are the Greenbrier River, Bluestone River, New River, and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake – perfect for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts.
• Spectacular long range views.
• High percentage of commercially – operable ground supporting forestry, recreation and potential for numerous future cabin sites.
• Elevations range from 1960’ to nearly 2600’
• Excellent year round state maintained access.
• Electric and phone nearby.
• Potential conservation value.
• Low taxes, low population density, little or no light pollution.

LOCATION

This 301 +/- acre timberland-recreational opportunity is located in the scenic, mountainous region of southcentral West Virginia. The surrounding Summers County landscape is part of the southeastern Ridge and Valley Region, a scenic tapestry of elongated hardwood Allegheny & Appalachian mountain ranges. Much of Summers County remains undeveloped and is characterized by its scenic farm valleys, small communities and large expanses of hardwood forest.

Charleston is West Virginia’s state capitol and  is an easy 90 minute drive from the Brothers 1881 Forest. Charleston is WV’s largest city with a population of some 50,000 and a metro area of 225,000.  It is the center of government, commerce, culture and industry. There is a commercial airport with daily flights to most major hubs.

Beckley is a 35 minute drive, has a population of 34,000, and is the county seat of Raleigh County.  All amenities are available in Beckley. Beckley is located at the intersection of I-77, I-64 and US 19 so easy access to Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Cincinnati is just around the corner.

Princeton, the Mercer County seat is 35 minutes’ drive. All amenities are available in Princeton including banking, excellent healthcare facilities, pharmacies, big box stores, grocery shopping and great restaurants.

The quaint village of Athens, home to Concord University, is just 20 minutes away.

Historic Lewisburg is located just 90 minutes away with all the charm of a small town and all the amenities of a larger city. Designated the “Coolest Small Town in America” in 2011; fine dining, arts and entertainment flourish in the Lewisburg area while “big box” stores like Walmart and Lowes are also available along with the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and other medical services. The Greenbrier Valley Airport has direct flights to Atlanta and Washington, DC.

Within an hour to two hour drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Winterplace Ski Resort (20 minutes), Snowshoe Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the Greenbrier, New River and Gauley River, 2000 acre Bluestone Lake, 3000 acre Summersville Lake, 919,000 acre Monongahela National Forest and the 80,000 acre New River National Gorge National Park. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock climbing opportunities.

Google Coordinates are 37.5783436N -081.0198745W

Located just 15 minutes from I-77, year round access to the property is excellent. The property fronts both sides of the graveled, state maintained CR27/1 (Suck Creek Road), for about 1mile.

Internal access is considered excellent since both sides of the property front the state road through the heart of the property along the valley floor. Several old timber trails provide access to nearly all corners for recreational opportunities including nature viewing, hiking, horseback riding and ATV riding and access to nice stands of timber.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The distinguishing features of the Brothers 1881 timber resource include its unusually high hardwood sawtimber and pole stocking with a solid basal area/ acre. This stocking is well above average for the region. This well managed timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation.

Capital Timber Value has not been assigned by the owner at this time but can be considerable as there has not been a commercial harvest in about 20 years and the forest was lightly thinned at that time only in certain areas.

The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Red Oak Group, Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood, Sugar Maple/Soft Maple and a host of associate species.

Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked, providing the next ownership with a great deal of flexibility in shaping their own silvicultual legacy.  Stem quality forest-wide can be considered excellent with the forest containing an abundant current and future veneer source.

The timber component has been well managed over the years and generally consists of two age classes that have been managed under even-aged silvicultural guidelines.  The predominant timber stand comprises 90% of the forest and contains 40-80 year old stems ranging in size of 10”-28” dbh. This stand was thinned some 20 years ago. This stand is on the cusp of graduating into higher-value sawtimber diameter classes over the coming decade.

The second distinct stand was established in the when the farm fields and pastures were abandoned and the forest began to naturally regenerate. These stands represent a quality hardwood resource with a small pine component and will be reaching economic maturity in the next 20 years.

The Red Oak group, White Oak group, Yellow Poplar/Basswood and the Maples, dominate the sawlog and veneer value, collectively representing nearly all of the total sawlog value. The remaining value is spread across a diverse range of species including Hickory, Beech, White Ash, Black Walnut, Hemlock and other associates.

Diameters are well represented across the commercial spectrum with a notable mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock. Average diameter with all products combined is estimated at 14”dbh.

Some trees are well over 100 years old and classify as “Heritage Trees”. These amazing trees have withstood the test of time and lend an air of grace and permanency to the property.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth or Emerald Ash Borer. The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is present and the majority of the Hemlock trees are severely stressed and will die out over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

WILDLIFE

Brothers 1881 Forest is known locally as an excellent wildlife habitat. Having been in the same family for well over 130 years has kept the wildlife management parameters consistent.

The mixture of mature forest and abandoned farm fields, coupled with the abundant water supply from creeks and springs, create the perfect wildlife habitat. The hardwood forest produces tons of acorns, hickory nuts beech nuts and black walnuts. White tail deer, wild turkey, squirrel, raccoon, fox and many species of songbirds and raptors make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife as there has been excellent wildlife management for many years.

A number of Bald Eagles have been spotted up and down the Greenbrier and New Rivers and are a thrill to see with wingspans of 6-7 feet.

WATER

Brothers1881 Forest is blessed with a year-round water source. Suck Creek is a beautiful blue line, clear water stream that flows for 1 mile through the heart of the property. Three other blue line feeder streams drain from the side hollows to the valley floor into the creek. There are also over 11 ephemeral streams that flow during rain events and snow melt.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

A visit to Brothers 1881 Forest is stepping back in time some 130 years. This early farmstead is an excellent example of the how the early settlers lived and is a testament to hard work, perseverance and ingenuity.  Manpower and horsepower were the tools of the trade in the late 1800’s.  Areas previously in fields are now regenerated to quality timber. The clearing of the fields is preserved in stone piles found around the property, a testament to the countless hours of backbreaking work.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All mineral rights the seller owns will convey with the property. All buyers are encouraged to have a mineral title report conducted by an attorney to ascertain the status of the mineral rights.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The 301+/- acre property was surveyed circa 1938. The metes and bounds legal description is of record in the Office of the Clerk of the County Commission of Summers County, WV, in Deed Book 71, pages 356 and 357.

The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre. Buyers are welcome to conduct a survey at their expense prior to closing. Old fences, roads, streams and fields can be found along some of the property lines.

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 255 Pg. 563
Summers County, West Virginia

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:

Summers County (45), West Virginia
Jumping Branch District (5)

Tax Map 27 Parcel 34; Class 3; “330 ACRES SUCK CREEK”

2018 Real Estate Taxes: $1,967.06

There is no countywide zoning in effect in Summers County. However, all prospective buyers should contact the Summers County Assessor and the Health Department in Hinton regarding any issues involving zoning, developments or building codes.

UTILITIES

• Electric – On property
• Propane – can be delivered
• Landline Phone – Nearby
• Internet – May be available through land line
• Cable TV & Internet – DirectTV or Dish Network
• Sewer – No public sewer available at this time. Septic system commonly used
• Water – no public water available at this time. Drilled water wells commonly used or develop springs
• Trash Pickup – at curbside on Ellison Ridge Road
• Cell phone coverage is fair to excellent in this area.
• USPS and Overnight Couriers deliver to the area.