Located in one of the fasting growing areas in the country, Webb's Retreat is along the I-85 corridor between Atlanta, Georgia and Auburn, Alabama. Just minutes from the interstate, this tract is primly located near the expanding Kia Plant and within easy driving range of Atlanta and Columbus, Georgia as well as Auburn, Alabama. A great location to feel like you are getting away, while still remaining close to many desired amenities.
Webb's Retreat is a rare find and has been used primarily as a recreational playground. It has an excellent layout of water resources, food plots, and diversity that adds to its wildlife value. The tract has even produced 190” plus non-typical white tailed deer. The tract is very close to Harris County, Georgia, which produces mid-west quality bucks. While offering excellent recreational potential, this tract provides even more value and potential in long-term development.
Highlights include:
· 2.5 miles from Exit 6 on I-85
· This stretch of the I-85 corridor is one of the fastest-growing in the country
· 2 miles “as the crow flies” from the expanding Kia Plant
· 2 miles from West Point and 10 miles from LaGrange, GA
· Existing timber resource
· Well-watered and diverse tract in a wildlife-rich area known for quality
· Close proximity to West Point Lake and the Chattahoochee River
Webb's Retreat is located in the piedmont region of mid-west Georgia, known for its rolling hills. The tract is adjoined by other timbered tracts, open pasture land, and some residences.
The town of West Point is just minutes away and provides grocery, gas, and a few dining options. The city of LaGrange is only 10 minutes away. LaGrange offers hotels, multiple dining options, a major hospital, and a small-scale airport. West Point Lake, which is a nearly 26,000-acre reservoir, is just 15 minutes away and offers incredible boating, fishing, and camping opportunities. This property is just minutes off I-85 and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is just an hour away.
Webb's Retreat has served as a timber resource for most of the last 40 years, so it features a reasonably well-developed system of interior woods roads and suitable routes from the public roads to timber markets. The tract features approximately 3,250 feet of road frontage on Shoemaker Road and about 651 feet on Adams Road; both are paved and county-maintained. Each road has a single driveway cut, and additional entrance points are possible along Shoemaker Road. The tract has direct access to power.
Internal access to the tract is provided by a system of logging roads and trails, which are largely suitable for 2x4 vehicles with good ground clearance but may require 4x4 when wet. There are about 2.5 miles worth of logging roads and at least that much of ATV trails.
From Exit 6 (on I-85) head southeast on Kia Blvd (this will be heading away from the Kia Plant). You will come to a “T” intersection, turn right (south) onto Warner Rd. Follow Warner Road for just over a mile, where you will come to another “T” intersection. Take a left (east) onto Webb Bartley Road. Follow Webb Bartley for just about half a mile and turn right (south) onto Shoemaker Rd. Follow Shoemaker for just under a mile, the primary entrance to Webb’s Retreat will be on the left. Look for a double gate with our “For Sale” sign on the post.
Webb’s Retreat features gently rolling terrain with elevation ranges from about 610 to 770 feet above sea level. The soils are well drained and very productive for timber.
Big Branch, a large creek, runs the length of the tract in its interior from north to south. The creek is a major drainage for this locality and holds water even during the driest periods. There are also two smaller, yet well-watered creeks on the tract. Also, the hunting group has established a pole barn and several shooting houses.
This tract’s stretch along Shoemaker Road lays very well and is potentially well suited for lots or other types of development. Its access points on both county roads also open up its potential for ranchettes.
Recently thinned pine plantations, large creeks and well-maintained food plots only add to the beauty of this tract. Its proximity to West Point Lake and the Chattahoochee River only add to its recreational value.
Merchantable timber in this report was inventoried by F&W Forestry Services, Inc. in July of 2020. An approximate 95 acres of 27-year-old loblolly plantation was thinned in the fall of 2020. Harvest volumes from the thinning were removed from the volumes presented in this property report.
The thinning improved the overall growth potential of this area by redistributing site resources to the remaining trees, and the remaining trees were selected as those with the best form for reaching higher class products such as sawtimber or poles.
A herbicide treatment is recommended for the recently thinned area in the near term to help keep the developing understory at bay. This would help maintain the aesthetics and add to the growth of the crop trees. Additionally, conducting a prescribed burn in this area would also aid in improving aesthetics and enhance wildlife value. If managing strictly for timber, this area should be ready for final harvest in 5 to 7 years.
There are approximately 175 acres of 20-year-old loblolly pine stands. Many of the areas planted at this time were on old pastures and had wildlife management in mind. You may notice on aerial photos that these areas have distinct patterns when compared to other plantations. These have numerous “wildlife” strips left between the pines that can be planted with browse or mowed to create and maintain wildlife openings. This enhances “edge effect” which many species such as turkey and quail benefit from. These loblolly plantations were thinned in 2016 and could be thinned again within the next year or two. It is recommended to follow the thinning with a herbicide treatment and prescribed burn as describe for the other loblolly plantation above. If your objective is more closely tied to timber production over recreation, these areas should reach full financial maturity in 8 to 12 years.
There are an approximate 136 acres that were harvested in 2020. This fresh harvest allows a “clean-slate” for a new owner to create their own vision for this portion of the property. New roads and trails can more easily be made for better access. New food plots can be installed to improve the wildlife opportunities.
From a timber production standpoint, the most productive option would be to plant the recently 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 to follow 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 do provide some timber income, but their primary purpose is to keep the timber healthy and growing well by removing some pressure off the site.
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