OVERVIEW

Pendleton County (pop. 7,695) has long been counted among the most dramatically beautiful counties in West Virginia.  Spruce Knob Forest (SKF) is within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, and is just a few miles from Spruce Knob Lake.  The enchanting forest offers tremendous 40-mile-long views, a rich and biodiverse ecosystem, immediate commercial timber value, and native trout stream.  It borders the Monongahela National Forest and directly connects to its trail system.  SKF is convenient to all the recreation and cultural activities in the Potomac Highlands.

With an elevation of 4,863′, Spruce Knob is the highest mountain in West Virginia, and the highest peak in the Allegheny Mountains.  Franklin is the county seat, and this property is a 90-minute drive from Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Historically, the land in this area has been in the same families for generations. Parcels this size near Spruce Knob rarely come up for sale in the open market.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 115.19 surveyed acres multi-use timber investment, recreational and biologically diverse property
• Borders the Monongahela National Forest with 2000′ feet frontage.
• Elevation is nearly 4000’, offering 40-mile-long views across distant mountain ranges and pastoral valley’s below
• Lies within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area
• $200,000.00 estimated Timber Value available for immediate harvest to offset purchase and holding costs
• The property’s survey plat is on record at the courthouse
• Back Run, a year-round stream flows north to south through the width of the property
• Native Brook Trout inhabit the waters of Back Run
• Excellent access with extensive frontage on year-round state-maintained roads
• Forest trails for ATV riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• Electric line is on the property.  Phone service available
• Dark skies with little or no light pollution for star gazing and planet observation
• Large size lends itself to create a wonderful country retreat – very private but not remote
• Two lots of five to 1o acres each can be sold off along Sawmill Run Road
• The mature forest is comprised of Red Oak, White Oak, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Cherry Hickory, and Poplar
• Perfect for all water sport activities supported by the region’s lakes and rivers
• Small town amenities are available in nearby Franklin
• Large city amenities are available in Harrisonburg VA, a 90-minute drive
• Four-hour drive to Washington DC
• Amazing resident wildlife population rich in diversity and ever changing
• One hour drive to Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort
• Fur bearing – deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, opossum
• Area winged wildlife includes Neotropical songbirds, turkey, grouse, eagles, herons, hawks, owls, ravens, king fishers, ravens, crows, and hummingbirds
• Dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 150-200 years old
• Rock outcroppings for rock climbing, bouldering and exploring
• Forest soaks up tons of Carbon Dioxide and produces tons of life-giving oxygen
• A rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle can be easily developed
• Cell phone coverage is good on the ridges, sketchy in the deeper hollows.
• Surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest, mountain farms, and large timber tracts in a quiet rural neighborhood
• Low taxes, low population density
• All water, subsurface and mineral rights in title will convey
• No current gas or oil lease
• Convey by General Warranty Deed

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 38.652415°(N), -79.570530°(W)
Address: Sawmill Run Road, Circleville, WV 26804. No 911 address assigned to a property without residential structures.
Elevation Range: 3145 ft. to 3848 ft. +/-

DIRECTIONS

Driving destination Google Coordinates: 38.652415 (N), -79.570530 (W)

From Franklin, WV:  26 Miles +/- (40 Minutes +/-)
From the Post Office in Franklin, travel US 220 North for 9/10 mile; turn left onto US 33 West; travel 12.9 miles; turn onto Rt. 28 South; travel 8.6 miles; turn right onto Sawmill Road Rt. 28/10; travel 3.6 miles; the property road entrance is on the left.

From Bartow, WV:  19.7 Miles +/- (30 Minutes +/-)
From the Post Office in Bartow, travel US 250 South for 9/10 mile; turn left to stay on US 250; travel 2.2 miles; continue straight onto Rt. 28 North; travel 13 miles; turn sharp left onto Sawmill Road Rt. 28/10; travel 3.6 miles; the property road entrance is on the left.

From Harrisonburg, VA: 67 Miles +/- (90 minutes +/-)
Take US 33 West 53 miles; turn onto Rt. 28 South; travel 8.6 miles; turn right onto Sawmill Road Rt. 28/10; travel 3.6 miles; the property road entrance is on the left.

• 30 minutes to Bartow
• 40 minutes to Franklin
• 40 minutes to Monterey, VA
• 1 hour 15 minutes to Elkins-Randolph County Regional Airport, Elkins
• 1 hour 15 minutes to Elkins
• 1 hour 15 minutes to Marlinton
• 15 minutes to Seneca Rocks and Seneca Rocks Discovery Center
• 15 minutes to Spruce Knob Lake
• 45 minutes to Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia
• 40 minutes to Greenbank National Radio Astronomy Observatory
• 50 minutes to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass
• 1 hour 10 minutes to Snowshoe Mountain Ski and Resort

WATER

Back Run, a blueline stream, runs through the property for about 4/10 mile. The stream has four-season water flow, especially during rain events and snow melt.  The rock ford has never washed out in the 25 years of current ownership.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights the owner has in title will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property is identified as Lot 7 of Hunting Grounds Estates and is shown with a metes and bounds description on a subdivision map recorded in Plat Book 5 at page 9. The western boundary of the property runs with the Monongahela National Forest for 4/10 mile. The eastern boundary of the property runs with Sawmill Run Road Rt. 28/10 for about 4/10 mile. Portions of other boundaries are evidenced by old fencing. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acres.  Boundaries are marked with paint.

UTILITIES

Water: Existing Spring water or water well could be drilled
Sewer: Septic system could be installed
Electricity: Onsite
Telephone: Onsite
Internet: Cellular hotspot, satellite (Dish), Elon Musk’s Starlink is scheduled to arrive sometime.
Cellphone Coverage:

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The eastern boundary of the property fronts with paved Sawmill Run Road Rt. 28/10 for about 4/10 mile. The property has interior roads.  The main interior road connects to Sawmill Run Road and the Monongahela National Forest.  It travels into the property for about 8/10 mile providing access to the property on both sides of Back Run. The interior road is kept gated and locked and is shared with only one adjoining property owner.

ZONING

Pendleton County currently has no zoning at this time. 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

The property has been used for recreation, camping, hunting, fishing and timber production.  The woodland has been enrolled in the West Virginia Managed Timberland Program, which provides a discount on property tax.

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 141 Pg. 689
Pendleton County, West Virginia
Acreage: 115.19 acres

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Pendleton County (36), West Virginia
Circleville District (2)
Tax Map 22 Parcel 4; Class 2

2022 Real Estate Taxes: $95.14

OWNERS’ NARRATIVE

The property is located on Sawmill Branch Road (28-10), which heads west off of Rt. 28, south of Cherry Grove. Sawmill Branch Road—sometimes referred to Sawmill Run Road—is a paved, state-maintained road.  It has daily USPO mail delivery.

The entire tract is almost entirely wooded and is easily walked.  The acreage is a rough rectangle with the long legs running west to east.  It encloses two sides of a valley, drained by Back Run, a year-round headwaters stream that contains native Brook trout.  This is an excellent wildlife habitat and offers sanctuary for a wild variety of animals.

About 20+ acres lie on the east side of Back Run. This section runs uphill to Sawmill Branch Road, which is the eastern boundary. The bulk of the property is a usable slope that runs to the west boundary with the Monongahela National Forest across Back Ridge at about 4,000 feet elevation.

Private landowners are on the north boundary (Friends of Spruce) and south boundary (Ralph Sponaugle). There are no functional fences to maintain.  The boundaries are clear on the ground. The east is Sawmill Branch Road.  Old fence lines are found on the north and south boundaries. The west boundary is Monongahela National Forest.

The interior road entrance is on the left side of Sawmill Branch Road as you climb west toward Spruce Knob.  It runs from the frontage on Sawmill Branch Road to the crest of Back Ridge.  The interior road is drivable by 4WD or AWD vehicles to the western boundary.

There is a small, old field at close to 4,000 feet on the east-facing slope below the abandoned USFS road along the ridge. It would make a nice site for a cabin with a view to the east. Visitors will find five rock piles at the base of this field. A spur road to this field joins the main road where it turns southwest toward the western boundary.

Most of the 1,362 feet of frontage on Sawmill Branch Road is suitable for building.  There’s level land along the road, which drops off to a hillside.  The flat acreage along Sawmill Branch Road represents a severable asset if a buyer wanted to sell one or two lots. Two lots, each about eight acres, plus or minus, could be divided from the remaining wooded tract.  A residential electric line uses an easement to cross the property from Sawmill Branch Road to service the Sponaugle cabin. That electric line provides a convenient connection to any future buildings on the property. Both easements are of record.

Back Run is a year-round stream that flows north to south through the width of the property. A constructed rock ford crosses the creek adjacent to the north boundary line.  Visitors can walk through the ford barefoot or with waterproof boots, or scramble over the creek upstream or downstream.  Native Brook trout are found in the cold, clean waters of Back Run.

Two easements run with the land. An adjoining neighbor (Ralph Sponaugle) has a 20-foot-wide ingress/egress easement right to use the main interior road to access a recreational cabin on the southern boundary.  That is the only interior road that is covered by this easement.  The old USFS road (#526) that runs along the crest of Back Ridge was officially abandoned several years ago. The USFS no longer has a right-of-way or a prescriptive easement on this road.  The USFS does not maintain it.  The State of West Virginia makes no claim to this abandoned trail.  The public has no right to use this old road.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

Spruce Knob Forest has been extremely well managed for over 25 years by an experienced professional forester, who is also an owner of the property. A 2021 forest wide inventory shows a projected commercial selective harvest value of just the larger hardwood trees of about $200,000.00 (the landowners share) that might be paid by local sawmills in a competitive sealed-bid sale.  Hundreds of smaller trees less than 16” DBH (diameter at breast height; 4.5 feet above the ground) were not inventoried and were left as growing stock for a future harvest in about 20 years.

The cool, wet, east-facing slope is very productive for hardwoods with annual ring growth up to ½ inch. The timber runs consistently throughout. It is considered to be good quality hardwood sawtimber and veneer. There is a market for this timber in the area.

The abundant timber resource is well positioned for future timber income as well as value appreciation over the coming decades. The timber has not been harvested in decades.  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.

A forest-wide timber inventory was conducted in 2021. The current Timber Value is estimated to be $200,000.00.  The timber has been growing about 3% per year since the 2021 inventory.  The last timber harvest (very selective thinning) was conducted on about 80 acres over 25 years ago.  A 20-acre section east of Back Run has not been harvested in over 70 years.

2021 Timber Inventory:

Timber Value of the timber was estimated by a professional forester to be approximately $200,000 in 2021.

Timber data in this report are based upon a 2021 timber inventory that was conducted by the ownership, one of whom is an experienced professional forestry consultant. 2870 trees were measured and marked with blue paint resulting in a total property-wide sawlog volume of 532,600 +/- Board Feet Doyle scale.  Another 242 cull trees (having no commercial volume or value) were marked by the forester to be removed so as to improve the forests’ health and productivity.

The forester measured each tree individually and the final inventory shows 532,600 board feet of hardwood sawtimber and veneer 16” in diameter or larger.  2870 trees were measured for diameter at breast height (dbh) applying the Doyle Scale, Form Class 78. Each tree was marked with a spot of blue paint at DBH on both the uphill and downhill sides and then at ground level.

Species composition:

The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species, hemlock and white pine. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of:

• 4% White Oak/Chestnut Oak – 122 trees with 21MBF
• 32% Red Oak Group – 704 trees with 170MBF
• 4% Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood – 122 trees with 24MBF
• 16% Sugar Maple – 497 trees with 86MBF
• 19% Soft Maple – 654 trees with 103MBF
• 11% Black Cherry – 337 trees with 60MBF
• 9%  Ash – 272 trees with 47MBF (on decline due to Emerald Ash Borer infestation)
• 5% A host of associate species (Aspen, Butternut, Beech, Birch, Hickory, Walnut,)

No White Pine, Hemlock, or Locust were marked by the forester during the i2021 inventory. However, those species do represent a significant percentage of the overall stand.

DISCLAIMER: The above listed volumes are estimates only for the benefit of the owners and are not guaranteed. Due to variations in timber utilization and logging techniques, potential buyers should make their own determination of the quantity, quality and commercial value of the timber.

The property has various ages of forestland, ranging from areas of 70-year-old naturally regenerated forest in the old farm fields to 100-year-old full canopy stands of mature forest. The forest features a timber resource with impressive commercial and pole stocking with a solid basal area per acre. This stocking is average to 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 costs.  Timber grown is an asset with long-term asset appreciation.

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

Spruce Knob Forest’s timber component has been well managed over many decades. The predominant timber stand of the forest is 50 to 150-year-old stems ranging in size of 12” to 30” dbh. 80 acres of this this forest was selectively harvested 25 years ago as prudent management practices called for, and 20 acres have not been harvested in 70 years. Some parts of this stand are comprised of long-ago abandoned farm fields that have naturally been restocked with pioneer species of cherry, sugar maple, soft maple, red oak, ash, and chestnut oak/white oak. This stand is considered to be high value sawtimber and veneer.

Diameters are well represented across the commercial and pre-commercial spectrum with a mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock. Average diameter with all products combined is considered average to above average for the area.

There are some trees 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 most of the Ash and Hemlock trees are severely stressed and will continue to decline over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses. There may be a few fruit trees scattered about, which were part of the early homestead. Honeybees will do very well here.

WILDLIFE

Decades of consistent professional wildlife management practices have created the ideal wildlife preserve. Early on, management goals promoted overall wildlife health, facilitated the harvest of game, developed wildlife viewing areas, increased carrying capacity, and increased species diversity.

The region’s rivers, lakes and the massive acreage of the Monongahela National Forest, are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. Back Run which runs through the property for about ¼ mile, and the surrounding aquatic plant life create a water supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the margins of the creek are fringed by wetlands, and these wetlands support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize the shore of the streambanks. The plant life associated with the wetland includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed and algae.

There are many animals that live year round and at other times in the water and around the edges of the areas lakes, rivers, ponds, creeks and streams including raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, hawks and redwing blackbirds.

There is the insect and microscopic world including butterflies, dragonflies, pond skaters, water beetles, damselflies, tadpoles and various insect larvae.

The diverse tree species, coupled with the abundant water supply from the creek, creates the perfect wildlife habitat. The miles of “edge effect” created between adjoiners fields, utility easements, creeks, hollows, ridges, and rock outcrops benefit all the resident wildlife. Bald eagles, white tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox and many species of songbirds, owls and raptors make up the regions resident wildlife population.

The hardwood forest provides the essential nutrient source and produces tons of hard mast including acorns, hickory nuts, beech nuts and black walnuts. Soft mast includes stag horn sumac, black cherry, tulip poplar seeds, maple seeds, autumn olive berries and blackberries.

PENDLETON COUNTY

Pendleton County (pop. 7,695) has long been counted among the most dramatically beautiful counties in West Virginia. Spectacular mountainscapes that are perhaps best represented by towering Seneca Rocks are not uncommon throughout the county and are among its biggest draws. Small to medium-sized farms and small businesses are the largest employers, especially where tourism and outdoor recreation are concerned. Large parts of the county are included within the boundaries of the Monongahela National Forest and George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. As a result of the completion of a new section of the US-48 expressway to the north, parts of the county are a drive of less than half an hour from significant interstate traffic.

Following are some of the many highlights and points of interest in the county.

Allegheny Front
The Allegheny Front is the lofty eastern edge of the Allegheny Mountains, an extraordinary escarpment that follows the trend of the Appalachian Mountains northwest to southeast across the northeastern U.S. The highest part of the front is at Spruce Knob at 4,862 feet above sea level, also the highest point in West Virginia. Much of the front is alpine and features wind-flagged spruce that bear the brunt of winter gales that sweep the highlands.

Germany Valley
The Germany Valley is a scenic upland valley originally settled by German farmers in the mid-18th century. It is noted for its extensive caves, designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973. The National Park Service cited it as “one of the largest cove or intermountain karst areas in the country, unique because all the groundwater recharge and solution activities are linked with precipitation within the cove.”

Seneca Rocks
Seneca Rocks are among the most photographed natural landmarks in West Virginia—a towering blade of sandstone thrust more than 800 feet above the valley of the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River.

The rocks are one of the most popular rock climbing areas in the eastern U.S. More than 375 mapped climbing routes ascend the rocks.

The U.S. Forest Service maintains a visitor center at its base.

Smoke Hole Canyon
Renowned for its dramatic landscapes of rock and forest, the Smoke Hole is a 20-mile-long gorge carved by the South Branch of the Potomac River. It is an isolated region with many reaches accessible only by boat or foot. The Nature Conservancy defines it as one of the most biologically rich places in the East, especially as regards its rare plant communities. Some old timers called the canyon “Smoke Holes” and claimed Native Americans used caves therein for smoking meat.

Dolly Sods
One of the most dramatic landscapes in the eastern U.S., Dolly Sods is a region of highland bogs and crags that follow the Allegheny Front along Pendelton county’s western edge. Like many other areas along the front, the sods are renowned for their forests of windblown spruce and scenic views eastward across Pendleton County to Shenandoah Mountain.

The Sods is a popular destination for hikers and photographers.

Shenandoah Mountain
Shenandoah Mountain forms the eastern border of West Virginia and Pendleton County and is named for the beautiful Shenandoah River, which sources along its Virginian flanks. Its name in Algonquian may mean “beautiful daughter of the stars.” Rising to 4,387 feet at Reddish Knob, the mountain forms the backdrop for much of the county and is excited in height only by the west’s Allegheny Front at Spruce Knob.

RECREATION AT SPRUCE KNOB FOREST

Spruce Knob Forest offers outstanding recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the area’s rivers and lakes.

Nature viewing is first in line of recreational activities. Attentive wildlife management has been geared not to just game animals. Equal consideration has been extended to increasing the numbers and diversity of species including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls and hawks.

Stargazing-Planet Observation
Complete or near darkness can be still be found on areas of the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby rivers and lakes ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
The property has forest trails that may be used for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding

Shooting-sports devotees find all the land and privacy needed to enjoy:

• Paintball-Airsoft-Laser Tag-Archery tag
• Shotgun sport shooting including Skeet, Trap, Double Trap and Sporting Clays
• Rifle & Handgun shooting: bullseye, silhouette, western, bench rest, long-range, fast draw
• Archery and Crossbow competition shooting
• Plain ole’ plinking: Grandpa’s old 22 single shot rifle and a few tin cans make a fun day

All Terrain Motorsports
Internal roads and several forest trails that are perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. These exciting machines handle the wide variety terrain.

Rock Crawling & Rock Bouncing
Areas of the property afford a topographic opportunity for the Extreme Off-Road adventurist to enjoy the increasingly popular Motorsport of Rock Crawling and Rock Bouncing.

Dirt bikes can also be a lot of fun and they come in all sizes and horsepower to fit anyone who enjoys being on two wheels.

Hunting is a first-class experience. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, duck, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife.

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops are medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Other crops that can be produced include shade-loving native ornamentals, moss, fruit, nuts, other food crops, and decorative materials for crafts. These crops are often referred to as special forest products.

Some specific examples of crops which could possibly be cultivated:

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms
• Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

RIPARIAN ZONE

In earlier times, before the environmental and societal values of riparian zones were discovered, the riparian zone was commonly called a “swamp”. These enchanting areas are biologically rich and wildlife diverse, being akin to the world’s largest swamps found in the Florida Everglades and the Amazon River Basin. The  mighty wetland works to provide “ecosystem services”—non-monetary benefits like clean water, clean air, carbon sequestration, hunting, and yes—recreation for everyone young and old.

These areas are the best of both worlds. Here you can watch for deer, squirrels, raccoon, and turkey while exploring for butterflies, turtles, frogs, crawdads, songbirds, salamanders, newts, and a host of other aquatic invertebrates, migratory birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

These areas are a very productive part of our environment; more productive of vegetation, in fact, than some agricultural soils. This vegetation serves important purposes.  It shelters and feeds many wildlife species that cannot survive elsewhere. Almost 35 percent of all rare and endangered species depend, in some way, on wetlands. More common wetland species provide enjoyment to many by serving educational, research and recreational needs. Waterfowl and many furbearers such as beaver, mink and muskrat provide both consumptive and no consumptive recreation and are dependent on wetlands. Many fringe wetlands provide the food that young fish need to survive. By slowing the flow of water, wetlands help keep banks from eroding and they trap and settle suspended silt before it smothers fish eggs and covers the insects and other animals that fish eat.

Riparian zones add visual diversity to everyone’s lives. The walking trail that skirts and crosses the wetlands offers an opportunity to see many different plant and wildlife species seen nowhere else on the property. This habitat walk is a relaxing and rewarding experience.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

The 115+/- acres of forest is a tremendous producer of Oxygen and sequester of Carbon Dioxide. Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing them into the atmosphere as oxygen. With 115 acres, the vigorously growing forest is sequestering thousands of tons of Carbon Dioxide each year and producing tons and tons of life giving Oxygen.

This natural process allows the owner (and family/friends) the opportunity to potentially enjoy a carbon neutral footprint.

The leasing of “Carbon Credits” to environmental mitigation companies is a rapidly emerging financial opportunity for the property owner to receive income without placing any burden to the land.  The leases can be for as little as one year.

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just like 200 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property would be self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without electricity.

• Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from springs and drilled water wells (hand drawing water from the wells using a cylinder well bucket).
• The creek and forest would provide fresh food (fish, deer, and turkey).
• The part of the forest that was once cleared and used for agricultural could be cleared again to be used to raise livestock of all kinds (chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits etc.) and could be farmed with horse drawn equipment. The land would support vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats and barley.
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles.
• The forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, basket splints, shingles, furniture, maple syrup and pounds of nuts (walnuts, acorns, beechnuts and hickory nuts).

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Pendleton County School District

Public Elementary School:
North Fork Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Pendleton County Middle School

Public High School:
Pendleton County High School