Oak Mountain is a great 77 acre tract that is set up and ready to serve as your timber investment and holds good recreational potential as it is part of thousands of contiguous forest acres located in Randolph County, Alabama.
Oak Mountain is located in the rolling hills of the upper piedmont region of mid-east Alabama and lays close to the lower reaches of Appalachia. The area is characterized by ridges and valleys.
“As the crow flies” Lake Wedowee is about two miles away to the northwest. A boating access is located about 10 miles away by road located on AL Hwy 48. The town of Wedowee, Alabama is about 15 minutes to the northeast. It provides grocery and quick dining options, as well as has a small medical facility.
The tract is surrounded by forestland on all sides. The tract is accessible through adjoining timberlands by what was formally a county road. The closest publicly maintained road is County Road 1 (or locally known as Dam Road) which is about a quarter-mile from the tract. These accesses are suitable for logging traffic as the timber industry is very active in the area, but could also require 4x4 during extended wet periods. The tract resides just about 10 miles off of AL Hwy 48. US Hwy 431 is just about 15 minutes away within the town of Wedowee. Interstate 20 is just about 50 miles north of the property.
The city of Roanoke, Alabama is located approximately 30 minutes to the southeast on US 431. Roanoke provides dining, provisions (Walmart) and lodging options. Birmingham-Shuttlesworh International Airport is about two hours from the property. The Atlanta International Airport is about 2.5 hours away.
Oak Mountain has two driveways cuts from a decommissioned county road that runs through the tract. It sits approximately a quarter mile from the nearest public road. There is currently one woods road that provides access to the tract from the decommissioned county road into the southern reaches of the property that requires 4x4 or ATV.
Directions to the tract: US Highway 431 can provide access to either I-20 or I-85. The town of Wedowee is on US 431. From US 431 in Wedowee, turn west onto AL Hwy 48 (directly across from the courthouse). Travel about 1.3 miles along US 431 and turn left (south) onto CR 1 (Dam Road). Travel approximately 6 miles along CR 1, at this point there will be an intersection and CR 1 will turn to dirt – continue straight on CR 1 for about another mile. At this point, there will be a fork in the road where a transmission line crosses. Take the right fork. You have now turned onto the old decommissioned county road. Follow this “main” road for about a quarter mile into a rather fresh cut-over. The Oak Mountain tract will now be on either side of you.
Oak Mountain features rolling terrain and some very steep slopes. Elevations run from approximately 800 feet along the streams at the lowest reaches to an estimated 1,180 feet on the highest ridge running with the old road.
This tract is great for anyone looking for a timber investment. There are an estimated 48 acres of well drained operable land with soils productive for timber. Due to recent timber harvest, the highest points on the tract currently have beautiful lengthy views of the surrounding lands and offer a perfect time to establish permanent wildlife openings.
Oak Mountain is a great tract for a recreationalist. The area offers great hunting and wildlife observing opportunities including deer, rabbit, and squirrel. The tract may also provide opportunities to view other early and late successional habitat type wildlife.
The tract location offers convenience to several recreational attractions. Lake Wedowee, a +/- 10,000 acre reservoir is only 30 minutes away where you can enjoy a day on the water of fishing or boating. The Talladega National Forest is only a 45 minute drive away.
Oak Mountain offers two management areas on the tract. There is an approximate 48 acres of well laying operable ground conducive to timber production. In 2019, 42 acres were harvested and offer a clean slate for a new owner to make it their own. We find that loblolly plantations bring the best returns in this market region. If costs are a hurdle, some landowners have been successful acquiring cost share through the Farm Service Agency to assist with reforestation cost though those programs often favor longleaf pine.
If replanting is chosen, the process usually follows these steps. First, a chemical application is applied in the summer months to control competing woody and vegetative competition. Second, a burn is usually conducted in the fall following the chemical treatment to both aid in controlling competition and to “clean up” the site to some extend to aid planting. Third, planting occurs in the winter months while the seedlings are dormant. Total planting cost can run between $180 and $300 per acre depending on the options and genetics chosen.
Once planted, typical plantation management in the area should be ready for a first thinning around age 14 or 15. Depending on growth and market conditions, a second thinning could occur around age 21. Financial maturity is normally reached between ages 25 and 34 in this region. Each thinning and cutting produces income for the owner.
The second management area is an approximate 29 acres of hardwood dominated sloped and bottomland areas. Portions of these could be harvested and the value captured by a specialized crew if desired, however these also exist along creeks where some timber must be left to protect water quality. These areas add wildlife value as there are hard mast producing trees (oaks producing acorns) and they also act as wildlife travel corridors.
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