Burns Forest is 330 wilderness acres of awesome recreation and hunting land located in the Boone and Crockett area of Greenbrier County WV. Miles of internal trails access nearly every corner of the property. Valuable timber ready for harvest. Just 25 minutes to Lewisburg and her jet airport – 10 minutes to the I-64 interstate. Streams, springs and your very own ramp patch. Several cabin sites with long-range views of distant mountains. Priced right to sell this season.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Large 330+/- acre parcel surrounded by large farm and woodland tracts.
• Located in popular Greenbrier County 25 minutes to Lewisburg.
• Land legacy of careful wildlife management coupled with outstanding long-term forest stewardship.
• Boone and Crocket country with exceptional resident wildlife populations.
• Harvest-ready hardwood timber.
• Piles of field stone about the old field edges gathered by early mountaineers.
• 3 Beautiful dashed blue line clear water seasonal streams flowing for a total of 1 mile through the property.
• 15 seasonal branches feed the two larger streams during snow melts and rain events.
• Superior access with one fifth mile of paved state road frontage on Keiffer Road.
• A mile long private forest management road (graveled, ditched with culverts) winds through the property on gentle grades suitable for future cabin or home site driveway.
• Numerous interior trails provide access to nearly every corner of the property.
• Renowned locally as one of the premier wildlife sanctuaries in Greenbrier County.
• Nearby are the Greenbrier River, New River, and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake – perfect for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts.
• Spectacular long range views approaching 30 miles.
• High percentage of commercially – operable ground supporting forestry, recreation and potential for numerous future cabin sites.
• Elevations range from 2441’ to 3063’
• Electric and phone nearby.
• Potential conservation value.
• Low taxes, low population density, little or no light pollution.

OVERVIEW

Burns 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 professionally 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 330+/- acre tract consists of an entire wooded mountain more than 1 mile in length. The ridges and high knobs tower above the Beaver Creek valley floor with elevations approaching 3000’. Spectacular 30 mile long distant views from the upper reaches are reminiscent of the vistas in West Virginia’s northeastern highest mountains.

LOCATION

Burns Forest is located in Greenbrier County, WV between Sam Black Church and Rupert. This 330+/- acre timberland/recreation opportunity is located in the scenic, mountainous region of southeastern West Virginia. The surrounding Greenbrier County landscape is part of the southeastern Ridge and Valley Region, a scenic tapestry of elongated hardwood Allegheny & Appalachian mountain ranges. Much of Greenbrier County remains undeveloped and is characterized by its scenic farm valleys, small communities and large expanses of hardwood forest.

Burns Forest is one of the larger forest ownerships within this region and, therefore, represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next tenure, or to carefully craft a rural subdivision 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 drainages of Beaver Creek and Otter Creek.

Address: There is no 911 address since the property does not contain any structures.
Local Post Office: Crawley, WV, 24931

ACCESS

Year round access to the property is excellent. The property fronts the paved, state maintained Keiffer Road –CR8, for about one fifth mile. The property is just 2 miles from US Route 60 – the famed Midland Trail. Access to Interstate-64 is a10 minute drive with quick access to the Sam Black Exit #156.

Internal access is considered excellent. A mile long private forest management road (graveled, ditched with culverts) winds through the property on gentle grades suitable as a residential driveway. Several miles of timber trails provide access to nearly all corners for recreational opportunities including nature viewing, hiking, horseback riding and ATV riding, shooting sports and access to nice stands of timber.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The distinguishing features of the Burns Forest timber resource is its unusually high hardwood pre-commercial 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.
Timber Inventory: Not established by the owner at this time.

Capital Timber Value has not been assigned by the owner at this time.
Species composition:

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.
Stocking, Stem Quality, and Forest Structure:

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 Burns Forest timber component has been professionally managed over the years and generally consists of two age classes managed under even-aged silvicultural guidelines. The predominant timber stand (230 acres) comprises 70% of the forest and contains 2-35 year old stems ranging in size of 2-12” dbh. Part of this stand is comprised of long ago abandoned farm fields that have naturally been restocked with pioneer species of poplar, locust and hickory. The remaining of the stand has been managed for the past 35 years using regeneration harvests under the guidance of professional foresters. This stand is on the cusp of graduating into higher-value sawtimber diameter classes over the next 30 years.

The second distinct stand of about 100 acres is comprised of 80+ year old trees that represent mature forest stands scattered throughout the boundary.

Sawlog & Veneer Value:
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.

Diameter distribution:
Diameters are well represented across the commercial and pre-commercial spectrum with a notable mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock. Average diameter with all products combined has not been determined.

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. Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is present and the majority of the Ash and Hemlock trees are severely stressed and will die out over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

WILDLIFE

Burns Forest is renowned locally as a premier wildlife sanctuary in Greenbrier County.

The mixture of mature forest, abandoned farm fields and regenerated forest, 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. The mile long private access road creates a linear food plot of some 5 acres stocked with blackberry & raspberry bushes, native grasses and brows-ready herbaceous plants.

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

Burns Forest is blessed with 3 dashed blue line streams creating a year-round water source. All the creeks and seasonal streams will flow off-property to either Beaver Creek or Otter Creek and then on to the Meadow River. There are also some 15 ephemeral streams that flow during rain events and snow melt.

MINERAL RESOURCES

The property is being sold SURFACE ONLY.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The 330+/- acre property has been surveyed and the property lines have been marked with red paint.

UTILITIES

Electric – Mon Power nearby
Propane – R.T. Rogers
Landline Phone – Frontier (nearby
Internet – May be available through Frontier
Cable TV – DirectTV or Dish Network
Water – There is not public water available and there are no drilled water wells on the property. There are naturally occurring springs that could be developed for a water source or a water well could be drilled.
Sewer – Septic, no public sewer system available at this time but a septic system can be installed.
Trash Pickup – Curbside
Cell phone coverage is excellent in this area.
USPS and Overnight Couriers deliver to the area

TAXES AND ZONING

Property taxes for the 2018 tax year were $704.50. The parcel is listed as 330 acres in Meadow Bluff District, Greenbrier County on Tax Map 71, parcel 51. The deed for the property is found in Deed Book 563, page 158.

As of October 2018, Greenbrier County has a Subdivision Ordinance and all prospective buyers contemplating division of property into lots should consult the Greenbrier County Planning Commission. All prospective buyers should contact the Greenbrier County Commission and Health Department when considering purchasing or developing any property in the county to determine if the property is subject to any additional zoning ordinances.

BURNS FAMILY CEMETERY

The Burns Family Cemetery is not located on the property but is a small fenced cemetery that adjoins the property on the northwestern corner along the county road and is accessed from the county road.

SURROUNDING AREA

Burns Forest is supported with the great community of Crawley, known for its friendly residents and laidback lifestyle.

Not surprisingly, many older residents fondly remember going to Keiffer school, a one room school house on Beaver Creek. Clintonville, Sam Black and Rupert all have a first class VFD, active Ruritan Clubs, 4-H and Scouting clubs.

The small incorporated community of Rupert is just 10 minutes to the north of Burns Forest. A pharmacy, convenience stores, Dollar General/Family Dollar and a good local Mexican restaurant are available. City Hall and the Greenbrier County Sheriffs/Rupert City police department are located on main street.

Lewisburg is also the county seat of Greenbrier County and home to the WV Osteopathic Medical School (800 students) and the New River Community and Technical College. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture. The Greenbrier Valley and surrounding area is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life in the valley interesting and satisfying. A year round live theatre, Carnegie Hall (one of four in the USA), fine dining, art galleries and boutiques make up the thriving downtown historic district in Lewisburg.

Lewisburg has been named Coolest Small Town in America and is just a 20 minute drive to complete shopping, churches, schools, medical-dental facilities, fine dining, and a modern hospital. The airport, with the longest runway in the state is just 30 minutes away and has daily flights to Chicago and Washington DC.

The world renowned 4-Star Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is a 35 minute drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. Rock climbing, ziplining, horseback riding and the 100 + mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail makes for a very active recreation area.

The largest and most popular 4th of July day parade in the state is hosted by nearby Alderson. The sleepy town of Alderson is a 25 minute drive and amenities include churches, elementary school, grocery store, hardware/farm supply store, motel, bank, Dollar General, gas/convenience stores, medical clinic and restaurants. Alderson is also home to “Camp Cupcake”, the minimum security federal prison where Martha Stewart spent her vacation.

Hinton, the county seat of Summers County is a 35 minute drive. Hinton, founded in 1871, grew rapidly as the hub of a growing railroad industry serving the New River coal fields, passenger travel and coast to coast freight lines. Today, Hinton serves the growing tourist and technology industries. Situate at the confluence of the New River, Bluestone River and Greenbrier River, as well as the 2000 acre Bluestone Lake, Hinton is truly a gateway to water recreation. The 80,000 acre New River National River Park, Bluestone State Park, Pipestem State Park Resort and 17,000 acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area are recreational cornerstones in the area. Hospital, grocery shopping, pharmacy, hardware/farm supply and dining are available.

GREENBRIER RIVER AND RIVER TRAIL

Burns Forest is a 30 minute drive to the lazy Greenbrier River. The Greenbrier River is 173 miles long is the last free flowing river east of the Mississippi. It is an excellent river to float or canoe and is well known for its large and small mouth bass fishing. It is the gateway to water recreation and fun as it is at most times lazy and easy to navigate.

The Greenbrier River is formed by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River in the town of Durbin, West Virginia. From Durbin the Greenbrier River flows southwesterly through Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, and Summers Counties. It flows through several communities including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton. The Greenbrier River joins the New River in the town of Hinton, just 30 minutes away.

The property is a 30 minute ride to the Greenbrier River Trial and is operated by the West Virginia State Parks. The trail is a 77-mile long former railroad, now used for hiking, bicycling, ski-touring, horseback-riding, and wheel-chair use. The trail passes through numerous small towns and traverses 35 bridges and 2 tunnels as it winds its way along the valley. Most of the trail is adjacent to the free-flowing Greenbrier River and is surrounded by peaks of the Allegheny Mountains.

THE NEW RIVER AND BLUESTONE LAKE

Burns Forest is a short drive to the New River and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake at Hinton. The New River is the second oldest river in the world, preceded only by the Nile; it is the oldest river in North America. The New River is unique because it begins in Blowing Rock, N.C. and flows north through Virginia into West Virginia. The Nile and Amazon are the only other major rivers that also flow north. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, hybrid striped bass, and Muskie are all common species of fish found in the New River and Bluestone Lake.

Bluestone Lake is over 2000 acres at summer pool and is the state’s third largest body of water. Great hunting and fishing opportunities abound at the 17,632 acre Bluestone Wildlife Area adjacent to the park and nearby Camp Creek State Forest

Please call Richard Grist @ 304.646.8837 or email to Richard@foxfirenation.com to schedule a tour of this fantastic woodland property.
Directions

From Lewisburg, travel I–64 west 13 miles to the Sam Black Exit #156. Take a right on US Route 60 West and travel 2.5 miles and take a right on Keiffer Road CR 8. Go 2 miles and the property begins and the right, look for orange pipe gate.

The property is being sold with no representations or warranties made either by Foxfire Realty or the Seller or its agents except as may be specifically made in writing by the Seller. The buyer may retain brokers to represent their interests. All measurements are given as a guide, and no liability can be accepted for any errors arising therefrom. No responsibility is taken for any other error, omission, or misstatement in these particulars, nor do they constitute an offer or a contract. Foxfire Realty or the Seller does not make or give, whether in these particulars, during negotiations or otherwise, any representation or warranty in relation to the property.