PINE RIDGE TREE FARM OVERVIEW

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, just at the end of Browns Mountain Road, sits the picturesque Pine Ridge Tree Farm. Current owners, Bob and JoAnn Lister, have professionally maintained this farm for many years. In years past, they used a portion of the farm as a Christmas Tree farm where they sold trees to non-profit organizations for their fundraisers. Throughout the years, the Listers maintained the forest in a way that would allow them to get maximum growth out of the trees. The upland terrain of the forest is conducive to the growth of Appalachian hardwood as well as pine and a small amount of hemlock, which make it perfect for a long-term investment. A portion of the pine trees on the property were harvested approximately 10 years ago, however the property is ready for harvest again.

The home that sits on Pine Ridge Tree Farm is a must see! The home boasts over 2,000 sq. ft. of living space, not including the full walk-out basement. A custom built addition was added several years ago, and the home offers hardwood floors throughout. For a nature enthusiast, this home is a dream. There are decks on three sides of the home, two large stocked ponds, trails all through the property, and a year-round blue line stream running through the property. There is plenty of space here to raise a family or to have a second home in the majestic Appalachian Mountains.

Measurements for the house are as follows:
Living Room 20’x25′
Kitchen 12’x15′
Master Bedroom 12’x16′
Master Bath 10’x10′
Bedroom 11’x20′
Loft Bedroom 14’x24′
Loft Sitting Room 14’x20′
The basement offers a bath, kitchen area, tool room, garage, and sauna

Pine Ridge Tree Farm is a tremendous find for those looking for solitude and all the outdoor advantages that living in West Virginia provides. For Bob and JoAnn Lister, the farm has been a lifesaver. Both have been quoted as saying “Being stewards of this land for nearly 30 years has attributed to our long life and good health. Being able to access remote areas without undue degradation of the environment or reduction of solitude has enhanced our appreciation for the value of the woodlands, water and wildlife. We sincerely hope that those who follow us will maintain, enjoy and promote the values we have tried to instill in ourselves and others.”

WILDLIFE

Pine Ridge Tree Farm is locally known as an excellent wildlife habitat. The Listers have owned this property for nearly 30 years and have taken great care to manage the wildlife on their farm. With a mixture of mature forest and abundant fields, coupled with a plentiful water supply from the creeks and ponds on the property, the farm is teeming with wildlife. The hardwood forest produces an abundance of acorns, hickory nuts, beechnuts and black walnuts. Whitetail deer, wild turkey, squirrels, raccoons, and fox are just a few of the species that make up the wildlife population on Pine Ridge. It is hard to find a piece of property that has such a wonderful mixture of wildlife that has been so wonderfully managed for many years.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 38.195402°(N), -79.985765°(W)
Address: 1653 Browns Mountain Road, Marlinton, WV 24954
Elevation Range: 2679 ft. to 2972 ft. +/-

WATER

A blue line stream runs through the large forestland portion of the property for about ½ mile, which should flow for most of the year, especially during rain events and periods of snow melt.

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the US that has two ownership titles, those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS. A title search for mineral rights ownership has not been conducted. All rights the owner has will convey with the property. A mineral title search could be conducted by a title attorney at the same time when the surface title search is being conducted.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property was surveyed in April 1992 by Dilley’s Surveying of Dunmore, WV, and shown on their plat as containing 88.206 acres. According to the plat, a portion of the boundary runs with Browns Mountain Road and other lines are evidenced by fencing.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

According to the survey plat, a portion of the boundary runs with Browns Mountain Road RT 28/8, and, further, a portion of Browns Mountain Road runs through the property.

ZONING

Pocahontas County currently has no zoning outside of corporations and flood zone areas. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Government and also the Health Department for any changes and details regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of water wells and septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

There is an open area comprising the home grounds, while the balance of the property has been devoted to forestland.

(This summary is an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography. It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 290 Pg. 135
Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Acreage: 91.56 acres is stated in the deed, but another boundary survey indicates that the property contains 88.206 acres.

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Pocahontas County (38), West Virginia
Huntersville District (6)
Tax Map 38 Parcel 20; Class 2

2019 Real Estate Taxes: $456.70

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Pocahontas County School District
Public Elementary Schools:
Green Bank Elementary – Middle School
Hillsboro Elementary School
Marlinton Elementary School

Public Middle Schools:
Green Bank Elementary – Middle School
Marlinton Middle School

Public High School:
Pocahontas County High School

ABOUT THE REGION

The property is located in southern Pocahontas County in the Allegheny mountains of southeastern West Virginia. The Pocahontas County region is renowned for its highland forests—woodlands that ascend to windswept summits more than 4,000 feet above sea level. Its highest peaks are among the highest in the Allegheny range of the Appalachian Mountain.

Though home to fewer than 9,000 residents, the county is among the largest in West Virginia at 942 square miles and includes vast areas of forest, much of which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Monongahela National Forest.

Much of the county lies within the National Radio Quiet Zone, an area of 110 square miles in Virginia and West Virginia in which radio transmissions are heavily restricted to facilitate scientific research at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank in northern Pocahontas County.

Heavy snows in the higher elevations may render forest roads impassable through much of the winter, though the valleys along the Greenbrier enjoy moderate winter weather. Heavy snows in December, January, and February help sustain tourism when more than 400,000 skiers and winter-sports enthusiasts visit Snowshoe Mountain, Silver Creek Resort, and the Elk River Touring Center.

THE SURROUNDING AREA

POCAHONTAS COUNTY
Pocahontas County, West Virginia, is set deep in the Allegheny Mountains, separating West Virginia from Virginia, and called “the birthplace of rivers”. The Greenbrier, Gauley, Elk, Cherry, Cranberry, Tygart Valley, Williams, and Shavers Fork of the Cheat rivers all begin in these pristine mountains. The area is rooted in its crystal clear streams, native brook trout, roaring waterfalls, and unique history.

Pocahontas County is the “Alaska of the East”. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound from Hunting on private lands and the Monongahela National Forest, and Fishing in the Greenbrier River, Shavers Fork, Buffalo Lake and the countless native trout streams, Snow Skiing at Snowshoe, and Mountain Biking at Seneca State Forest and the Greenbrier River Trail.

In historic Durbin, WV, you can ride & experience the sights and sounds of one of the rarest steam locomotives in existence. The DURBIN FLYER Excursion Train is powered by a rare steam locomotive; Old #3 is one of only three operating Climax geared logging locomotives on earth. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers visitors steam engine drawn breath-taking rides to the top of the mountains.

Within a short drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Snowshoe Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the Greenbrier, Tygart, New River and Gauley Rivers, the 48,000 acre Cranberry Wilderness, the 80,000 acre New River National Gorge National Park, and whitewater rafting / fishing on the Greenbrier, New River and Gauley Rivers. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock climbing opportunities. Snowshoe Ski Resort is a 35 minute leisurely drive through some of the most scenic country on the East Coast. The world renowned Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is just 45minute drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding, and rock climbing opportunities.

Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, The Cass Scenic Railroad in Cass and the National Radio Observatory in Green Bank are other area attractions that make this region of the state one of the most sought after to live and play.

THE MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST
The Monongahela National Forest was established in 1920 and is encompasses about one million acres. Located in the north central highlands of West Virginia, the Monongahela straddles the highest ridges in the State. Elevation ranges from just under 1000′ to 4863′ above sea level. Variations in terrain and precipitation have created one of the most ecologically diverse National Forests in the country.

Visitors to this beautiful forest enjoy breathtaking vistas, peaceful country roads, gently flowing streams, and glimpses of the many species of plants and animals that inhabit the Forest. You will also see a ‘working’ forest, which produces timber, water, grazing, minerals and recreational opportunities for the region and nation.

The landscape goals for management of the Monongahela are for a largely natural appearing and diverse forest, which provides outstanding dispersed recreation opportunities and supporting developed facilities. Dispersed recreation opportunities abound for hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking and so on. Developed sites provide the tourism destination facilities and base camps so important to the efforts of local Convention and Visitor Bureaus, local communities, and other non-government agencies. Forest Plan Management Prescriptions favor non-motorized recreation for ecological reasons.

The forest is noted for its rugged landscape with spectacular views, blueberry thickets, highland bogs and “sods”, and open areas with exposed rocks. In addition to the second-growth forest trees, the wide range of botanical species found includes rhododendron, laurel on the moist west side of the Allegheny Front, and cactus and endemic shale barren species on the drier eastern slopes.

There are 230 known species of birds inhabiting the MNF: 159 are known to breed there, 89 are Neotropical migrants; 71 transit the forest during migration, but do not breed there, and 17 non-breeding species are Neotropical. The Brooks Bird Club (BBC) conducts an annual bird banding and survey project in the vicinity of Dolly Sods Scenic Area during migration (August – September). The forest provides habitat for 9 federally listed endangered or threatened species: 2 bird species, 2 bat species, 1 subspecies of flying squirrel, 1 salamander species, and 3 plant species. Fifty other species of rare/sensitive plants and animals also occur in the forest.

Larger animals and game species found in the forest include black bear, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, gray and fox squirrels, rabbits, snowshoe hare, woodcock, and grouse. Limited waterfowl habitat exists in certain places. Furbearers include beaver, red and gray fox, bobcat, fisher, river otter, raccoon and mink. Other hunted species include coyotes, skunks, opossums, woodchucks, crows, and weasels. There are 12 species of game (pan) fish and 60 species of non-game or forage fish. Some 90% of the trout waters of West Virginia are within the forest.

THE GREENBRIER RIVER
The upper Greenbrier River possesses the excitement of life on one of the nation’s great wild rivers. The focus of a vast outdoor-recreation destination, it flows untamed out of the lofty Alleghenies, attracting anglers, paddlers, and naturalists from across the globe.

At 162 miles long, the Greenbrier is the longest undammed river left in the Eastern United States. It is primarily used for recreational pursuits and well known for its fishing, canoeing, kayaking and floating opportunities. Its upper reaches flow through the Monongahela National Forest, and it is paralleled for 77 miles by the Greenbrier River Trail, a rail trail which runs between the communities of Cass and North Caldwell.

It has always been a valuable water route, with the majority of the important cities in the watershed being established river ports. The river gives the receiving waters of the New River an estimated 30% of its water volume. Over three-fourths of the watershed is an extensive karstic (cavern system), which supports fine trout fishing, cave exploration and recreation. Many important festivals and public events are held along the river throughout the watershed.

The Greenbrier is formed at Durbin in northern Pocahontas County by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River, both of which are short streams rising at elevations exceeding 3,300 feet and flowing for their entire lengths in northern Pocahontas County. From Durbin the Greenbrier flows generally south-southwest through Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Summers Counties, past several communities including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton, where it flows into the New River.

Along most of its course, the Greenbrier accommodated the celebrated Indian warpath known as the Seneca Trail (Great Indian Warpath). From the vicinity of present-day White Sulphur Springs the Trail followed Anthony’s Creek down to the Greenbrier near the present Pocahontas-Greenbrier County line. It then ascended the River to the vicinity of Hillsboro and Droop Mountain and made its way through present Pocahontas County by way of future Marlinton, Indian Draft Run, and Edray.

NEARBY 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 (600 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, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other locations. By car, DC is 4 hours away and Charlotte is only 4.