“Working with Matt was a truly awesome experience. He took the time to listen to our thoughts and ideas so that he could fully grasp and understand the vision that we had. His knowledge of the area, the properties, their values and his real estate expertise helped us get the lowest possible price we could for the property. His forestry experience, knowledge of timber and contacts with lumberjacks and saw mills maximized the value of the timber harvest, which provided ample money to develop the property and to achieve our dream. Matt is a great person, a lot of fun and is a pleasure to work with. He is truly a professional. If you want a first-class experience and a job done right, Matt is the best choice.” ~Craig and Melinda Winslow, Pilot, VA
Of all the projects we’ve handled, this one has been the most diverse- and a great deal of fun to boot. The story begins when Matt was contacted by a couple from Houston, Texas looking to purchase land in the NRV area for their retirement home. Their plans included establishing orchards on the future property, to include apple and cherry trees (among others), along with space for blueberries and a large garden. Water and privacy were a must. Because of Matt’s real estate experience, he was able to assist with the land search and purchase and then transition into a forestry/property development role to help them realize their goals.
After looking at several properties during a visit, they chose a terrific 70-acre wooded tract in the Pilot area of Montgomery County. Matt had been watching this property sit idle on the market for nearly six months, and had already walked it several times knowing it would be a great buy for someone. After finding some old apples trees growing on the property, everyone knew it was the right place. The land was purchased in May 2010 and the development planning began immediately. First step, a proper name: Walnut Springs Orchard.
The property was almost entirely wooded, with very limited interior access aside from an overgrown 450’ long driveway ending at a dilapidated trailer (which was subsequently removed). Matt was tasked with designing a road system to access the future homesite, to include a loop driveway, a stream crossing, and a new entrance to the state road. Orchard sites were identified, and a selective timber harvest was implemented to help fund the project. Harvesting timber made a lot of sense for forest management on this property, but the harvest itself is really what allowed the development to work so well. Fortunately, the topography on this property allowed for the improvements and changes that the new landowners were hoping for. You can view a map of the development plan here.
Harvesting began in April 2011 on the east side of the property where the house will be built. The homesite and drain field were clearcut, along with two orchard sites and of course the new roads. Other areas were either selectively harvested or not cut at all. Because the landowners are going to build their dream retirement home here, aesthetics had to be protected or improved, not degraded, by the timber harvest. The west side of the property came next, where a new state road entrance was constructed and about half the acreage was selectively harvested, with a small clearcut area for another orchard.
Please take some time to view the many pictures below, they tell the story best. Many thanks to the owners of Walnut Springs Orchard, they will be welcome neighbors.
