Goldville, AL 36255 - Clay County

Introduction

Bluff Springs is a 256 acre tract offering timber potential and recreational opportunities with Osborn Creek flowing through the tract located in located in both Clay and Tallapossa Counties in Alabama.

Location

Bluff Springs is being sold as one property, but it is two parcels separated by a narrow strip of land not included in the sale. The property is located in the beautiful piedmont region of mid-east Alabama, which is characterized by rolling terrain.

Other timbered properties surround both the southern and northern parcels. The northern parcel also has a small church property carved out on the west side.

Bluff Springs is located just two 2 miles northwest of the community of Goldville, which offers a small store and only five miles south is the town of New Site, which provides dining, gas, and grocery opportunities.

Bluff Springs Road provides direct access to the property. The property is located just five minutes off State Road 49 and about 20 minutes from US Hwy 280. Alexander City is just 20 minutes away and provides ample dining, lodging, and grocery options as well as a major hospital. The Birmingham Airport is only one hour and 45 minutes away from the property.

Access

The southern parcel has an estimated 1,800 feet of frontage along Bluff Springs Road, which is a paved, county-maintained road. The northern parcel features ample road frontage as it touches Bluff Springs Road, Beaula Road, and Bethel Circle totaling more than 5,000 feet.

Two gated driveways are cut on the southern parcel, and the northern parcel has three cut driveways. The property has direct access to power.

Recent logging provides a system of woods roads suitable for 2x4 with high ground clearance during dry periods. Four-wheel drive may be needed during wet periods. Approximately a mile and a half to two miles worth of logging roads provide internal access, making the tract accessible for recreation and future forestry operations.

Site Description

Bluff Springs is ideally suited for long-term timber ownership. The tract is also attractive for anyone looking for a recreational retreat to enjoy hunting, hiking, observe wildlife, riding horses or ATVs.

The tract offers rolling terrain and productive soils that are great for timber production. The elevation ranges from 780 to about 920 feet at the highest point. Due to the recent harvesting, the highest points provide magnificent views. The property has power access which offers the opportunity to build a cabin or hunting camp.

Located in a wildlife-rich region of Alabama, this property offers excellent hunting opportunities. The tract is currently providing browse, cover habitat and water resources, all a plus to hold game species.

Timber

In 2020, approximately 213 acres combined from both the north and south parcels were harvested. This fresh harvest allows a clean-slate for a new owner to create their own vision for this property. New roads and trails can more easily be made for better access. New food plots can be installed to improve the wildlife opportunities. Approximate 41 acres of hardwood-dominated bottomland and streamside areas remain after the harvest.

From a timber production standpoint, the most productive option would be to plant the harvested areas in genetically improved loblolly pine. This process usually includes a herbicide treatment in the summer months to help deter naturally occurring competing vegetation and then a burn in the fall of the year to prepare the tract for planting. The planting occurs during the winter months while the seedlings are dormant. Depending on the steps taken to prepare the tract, level of genetics used, and the method of planting, the total cost of this process ranges from about $200 to $280 per acre.

Once planted, it is typical to have thinnings at or around the ages of 15 and 22. These thinnings provide some timber income, but their primary purpose is to keep the timber healthy and growing well by removing some pressure off the site.

Final harvest (the final clear-cut providing the largest income) can be done at any age past about 15 but is usually most valuable between the ages of 26 and 33 when the timber reaches sawtimber size.

Another species choice for planting would be longleaf pine. Longleaf is native to this region and is well suited for the soils on this tract. It may not prove to be as fast-growing as loblolly but once established is a very hardy species that can provide more management options, such as burning, that are particularly wildlife friendly. Also, cost-share assistance is usually available for longleaf establishment through the USDA/NRCSs EQIP program. If successful in acquiring this cost-share, it can cover 80 to 100 % of the establishment cost.