HAMILTON FOREST 242 +/- ACRES

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Exceptional Investment Woodland Property near Lewisburg

Agent Contact:
Richard Grist, 304.645.7674

OVERVIEW

Hamilton Forest is a quality Yellow Poplar, White Ash, Maple – dominated Appalachian timberland investment with a ready-to-harvest timber resource. Situated in Raders Valley in historic Greenbrier County, the property offers rural estate qualities with the upside potential for future cabin site development. Nearly 247 acres would be considered gently laying ground.

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 241.54 acre tract is entirely wooded with a network of roads and trails. The ridges and high knobs rise above the valley floor with elevations ranging from 2273’ to just over 2,800’. Spectacular distant views from the upper reaches are some of the best in the area.

HIGHLIGHTS

*Large 242 +/- acre parcel located in Raders Valley in historic Greenbrier County.
*Land legacy of careful wildlife management coupled with outstanding long-term forest stewardship.
*Recent timber inventory estimates 1/2 million board feet of harvest-ready hardwood timber.
*A blue line clear water stream flowing for a total of 1 mile through the heart of the property.
*Known for its abundant and diverse wildlife population. Grouse population exceptional
*Over 1 mile of permanent interior access road with another 3 miles of trails.
*Nearby is the Greenbrier River – perfect for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts.
*Spectacular long range views approaching.
*A good percentage of commercially – operable ground supporting forestry, recreation and potential for numerous future cabin sites.
*Elevations range from 2200’ to over 2800’
*Electric and phone nearby.
*Low taxes, low population density, little or no light pollution.

LOCATION

Hamilton Forest is located in Greenbrier County, WV, about 8 miles west of Lewsburg, the county seat. The property is also near the unincorporated community of Williamsburg. This 247 acre timberland 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.

Hamilton Forest 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 exceptional for the region and considered flat to rolling to mountainous, with upland hardwood flats and ridges separated by narrow hollows that flank the lower lying stream drainage.

ACCESS

Year round access to the property is excellent. Hardtop state maintained roads provide year-round access to within 6/10 mile of the property. The last 6/10 mile of access is gained via a permanent private gravel road across an adjoining property. This road is shared with the neighbor and is rocked, ditched and culverted.

Internal access is considered excellent with nearly one mile of permanent passenger/truck road leading to the heart of the land. Several other unimproved 4×4 forest management roads create an excellent access network. Old timber trails provide access to nearly all corners for recreational opportunities including nature viewing, hiking, horseback riding and ATV riding.

FOREST / TIMBER RESOURCES

Complementing the property’s strong aesthetic attributes is a timber resource that is well positioned for value appreciation over the coming decade. With an attractive species mix, adequate stocking levels, and favorable diameter class distribution, the timber amenity represents a strong component of value to the investor. 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.

2014 Timber Inventory:

Timber data in this report are based upon a 2014 timber inventory that was conducted for the ownership by an outside consultant. 168 acres were inventoried (79 acres containing older regeneration harvests or old fields were not inventoried.); 19 points were sampled on a grid system using a 20 factor prism. Total sawlog volume property-wide of 536,936 BF Doyle scale with 4,517 pulpwood tons. Average board foot per acre was 3,196’ Doyle scale. A form class of 78 was used. Basal area averaged 90. Details of the timber inventory report, maps, specs and growth rates are available in the Hamilton Timber Report under Maps and Documents section.

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 18% White Oak/Chestnut Oak, 48% Poplar/Cucumber, 18% White Ash, 5% Sugar Maple/Soft Maple and a host of associate species. See report for details.

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. Sawtimber and pole stocking reports show a basal area/ acre of 90.

Hamilton Forest’s 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 (168 acres) comprises 68% of the forest and contains 40-120 year old stems ranging in size of 6”-28” dbh. This stand was thinned some 15-20 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 10-20 years ago when a regeneration harvest was implemented on sections of the forest that would respond well to an intensive harvest and regenerate into a very desirable species composition. These stands represent a quality hardwood resource will be reaching economic maturity in the next 20-30 years. These stands are ready for some crop tree release silvicultural treatment.

Sawlog & Veneer Value:

The White Oak group (18%), Yellow Poplar/Basswood (48%), White Ash (%18) and the Maples (5%) dominate the sawlog and veneer value, collectively representing nearly 89% of total sawlog value. The remaining value is spread across a diverse range of species including Hickory, Beech, Red Oak and Black Walnut and other associates.

Diameter distribution:

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 13.8”.

Breakdown by diameter class:

10” – 3%
12” – 16%
14” – 18%
16” – 28%
18” – 12%
20”up -23%

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 as of October, 2014. The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is present and any Hemlock trees will die out over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

WILDLIFE

Hamilton Forest has an abundant wildlife population. The ruffed grouse population is particularly impressive.

The mixture of mature forest, emerging 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 little to no hunting pressure for many years.

WATER

Hamilton Forest has a 1 mile long stream that drains the side hollows and then eventually sinking into a cave system about 4 miles downstream. There are numerous ephemeral streams that flow during rain events and snow melt. There are some natural springs as well.

MINERAL RESOURCES

The mineral rights do not convey with the property and the property is being sold “Surface Only”.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property has been surveyed and the property lines are painted.

TAXES AND ZONING

Property taxes for the 2013 tax year were $687. The parcel is listed as 241.54 acres in Williamsburg District, Greenbrier County on Tax Map 56, parcel 8. The deed for the property is found in Deed Book 494, page 52.

Address: Currently, there is not a 911 address since the property does not contain any structures.

Post Office: Lewisburg WV 24901 or Williamsburg, WV 24991

As of October 2014, 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.

UTILITIES

Electric – Nearby
Propane – can be delivered
Landline Phone – Nearby
Internet – May be available through landline
Cable TV – DirectTV or Dish Network
Water – There are no water wells on the property. There are naturally occurring springs that could be developed for a water source.
Sewer – No public sewer available. Septic systems provide sewage disposal.
Trash Pickup – Curbside
Cell phone coverage is spotty in this area.
USPS and Overnight Couriers deliver to the area

SURROUNDING AREA

Historic Greenbrier County:

Lewisburg, which is the Greenbrier County seat, was voted the Coolest Small Town in America in 2011, combining the warmth of a close community with the sophistication of more urban locations. The thriving downtown historic district offers year-round live productions presented at the State Professional Theatre of WV, Carnegie Hall, distinctive dining venues, antique shops, award-winning galleries/boutiques, and two summer-season farmer’s markets. Greenbrier Valley Medical Center is a modern hospital and all attendant medical facilities, along with the many big box stores.

Lewisburg is 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, medical, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.

The world-renowned Greenbrier Resort, with 800 rooms and 1600 employees, is located nearby in the sleepy little town of White Sulphur Springs. The 4-Star resort has a subterranean casino and is home to the PGA tour, the “Greenbrier Classic.” Several other area golf courses are available in the area – including Oakhurst Links, America’s first golf course, where guests play using old style hickory-handled clubs and ground-burrowing golf balls!

The Greenbrier County Airport with WV’s longest runway provides daily flights to Atlanta and Washington DC. A picturesque train ride from White Sulphur Springs connects the area to DC, Phili, Chicago, and many other locations. By car, DC is 4 hours away and Charlotte is only 4.

GREENBRIER RIVER AND RIVER TRAIL

Hamilton Forest is a 25 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. 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.

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 25 minutes 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.

SELLING “AS IS” SURFACE ONLY

Property is being sold in “As Is” conditions, SURFACE ONLY, 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.

 

REGIONAL INFORMATION

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304.645.7674