Forest Focus

The purpose of Forest Focus is to provide forest landowners and other interested folks with information about forests and the practice of forestry.

And of course, sell our services and real estate listings.

Are your property taxes too high?

If you have more than 20 acres of timberland and have owned it for more than four years you may be eligible for reduced property taxes on your property. You will need to enroll in the land use program in January at your local tax office. You must have a forest management plan to participate in the program. Some counties require the plan to be turned in with the application. Call our office for more information 336-838-5766.

Moon Trees– Did you know that there are two trees from the moon right here in North Carolina? Well, at least they made the trip to the moon. Click here for more.

Other Famous Trees – I’m sure most of you have heard of Dave Letterman’s top 10 lists. Well here is a top 10 list for trees. A number of these trees are famous for some very interesting reasons. There are some notable trees that didn’t make the list that we were surprised about (General Sherman , and the Angel Oak to name a few).

Fall Color - After spending all summer in the woods with high temperatures, high humidity, and the occasional thunderstorm to liven things up I’m looking forward to the cooler weather of autumn. Along with the cooler temperatures, I’m also awaiting another leaf season. Do you know why leaves change color? Did you know they act differently in different parts of the world? Click here for more.

IRS Timber Sale Regulations Change – In the past, sawmills and other purchasers of standing timber were not required to send 1099’s to forest landowners who sold their timber in a lump sum. The law has changed effective for 2009 and if you have sold timber this year, you should expect a 1099. Click here for more.

Furniture plants reopening and hiring – For several years, furniture plant closings have been in the news weekly, if not daily. Much of the furniture manufacturing has moved to China or Vietnam which has dramatically changed our hardwood lumber markets. In the past several weeks we’ve heard about two plants opening. Vaughn Bassett Furniture is reopening part of their Elkin plant which was closed in January. Caye Home Furnishings, LLC is opening a plant in Taylorsville at the site of an old Broyhill Furniture plant. Also, Stanley Furniture Company in Virginia has just announced it is hiring 99 people at an existing plant. Nice to hear some good news.

News for sportsmen and women – Both North Carolina Wildlife Commission and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries have electronic newsletters to keep hunters and anglers up to date. Sign up for North Carolina’s newsletter here or Virginia’s Outdoor Report here.

Torrified Wood- Our last newsletter had information explaining torrified wood. Several weeks ago torriefied wood was used in the James River Power Station in a test to generate electricity.

Electricity from Trees - Have you ever been on a camping trip or a picnic and joked about plugging an electrical appliance into a tree? You may have been onto something. Trees do generate small amounts of electricity and researchers at the University of Washington are working on ways to productively use this energy.

Electricity from Hair – Yes, I know this doesn’t have anything to do with trees but I couldn’t pass it up, especially after the last item. Apparently, a teenager from Nepal has figured out a way to make inexpensive solar panels using human hair. I don’t know if it is fact or fiction, but it is interesting.

Real Estate Listings

Listings with Reduced Prices

This 23 ± acre tract is located on Brocktown Road in Wilkes County. Outstanding views and close to Wilkesboro. Price has been reduced to $200,000.

This 41.9± acre tract is located northern Wilkes county off of Longbottom Road. Price has been reduced to $220,000.

For more information about all of our listings please click here.