OVERVIEW

Flint Hollow 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 334+/- acre tract consists of an entire wooded valley more than 1 mile in length through which Alum Rock Creek – a significant clear water tributary of the upper Muddy Creek drainage – flows.  The ridges and high knobs tower above the valley floor with elevations approaching 2250’. Spectacular 20 mile long distant views from the upper reaches are reminiscent of the vistas in West Virginia’s northeastern highest mountains.

HIGHLIGHTS

*Large 334+/- acre parcel surrounded by large farm and woodland tracts.
*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.
*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 20 miles.
*High percentage of commercially – operable ground supporting forestry, recreation and potential for numerous future cabin sites.
*Elevations range from 1750’ to nearly 2250’
*Excellent year round state maintained access.
*Electric and phone nearby.
*Potential conservation value.
*Low taxes, low population density, little or no light pollution.

LOCATION

Flint Hollow Forest is located in Greenbrier County, WV between Sam Black Church and Alta. This 334+/- 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.

Flint Hollow 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 drainage of Alum Rock Creek.

ACCESS

Year round access to the property is excellent. The property fronts both sides of the gravel, state maintained CR60/9 (Flint Hollow Road), for about 1mile. Two new bridges have been installed by the WV Department of Highways.  The property is just 1.2 miles from US Route 60 – the famed Midland Trail. Access to Interstate-64 is just a10 minute drive with quick access to either the Alta Exit #161 or Sam Black Exit #156.

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 miles of 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 Flint Hollow Forest 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.

Timber Inventory:

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.

Flint Hollow’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 (295 acres) comprises 90% of the forest and contains 40-70 year old stems ranging in size of 10”-28” dbh. This stand was thinned some 15 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 60’s 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.

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 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

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

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

Flint Hollow Forest is blessed with a year-round water source. Alum Rock Creek is a beautiful blue line, clear water stream, that flows for 1 mile through the heart of the property. Two other blue line feeder streams drain from the side hollows to the valley floor into Alum Rock Creek. There are also over 10 ephemeral streams that flow during rain events and snow melt.

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 334+/- acre property was surveyed circa 1907. The hand-written, metes and bounds legal description, is of record in the Office of the Clerk of the County Commission of Greenbrier County, WV, in in Deed Book 72, pages 638 & 639.

TAXES AND ZONING

Property taxes for the 2013 tax year were $997.79. The parcel is listed as 334 acres in Blue Sulphur District, Greenbrier County on Tax Map 10, parcel 51. The deed for the property is found in Deed Book 262, page 248.

Address: There is no 911 address since the property does not contain any structures.

Local Post Office: Crawley, WV, 24931

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 – Mon Power (nearby, not onsite)
Propane – R.T. Rogers
Landline Phone – Frontier (nearby, not onsite)
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..
Trash Pickup – Curbside
Cell phone coverage is excellent in this area.
USPS and Overnight Couriers deliver to the area

CEMETERY

As is very common on old mountain farms, there is a cemetery located on the southeastern section of the property, about 100 yards off the road. There is the single grave of John Flint, 1815-1889, marked with a hand-carved headstone next to the site of the historic Flint homeplace (now in ruins). The owners have granted access for families wishing to visit their ancestors’ grave.

SURROUNDING AREA

Flint Hollow Forest is supported with the great community of Clintonville, known for its friendly residents and laidback lifestyle.

Not surprisingly, many older residents on Flint Hollow Road fondly remember going to school in the one room school house that sat at the mouth of Alum Rock Creek and Muddy Creek.  Clintonville has a first class VFD and active Ruritan Club that headquarters from the Clintonville

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.

In 2011, Lewisburg was 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 Atlanta 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

Flint Hollow 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.

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.

THE NEW RIVER AND BLUESTONE LAKE

Flint Hollow Forest is a 35 minute 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

SELLING “AS IS”

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

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