Just six miles to the east lies the town of Wadley, which boasts a couple of small family-owned restaurants and a couple of gas stations for your quick needs. If you're looking for more dining, fuel, and grocery options, both Lineville and Ashland, AL are approximately 14 miles from the tract. You can also find multiple dining options, grocery stores, and lodging in the cities of Roanoke and Alexander City, which are approximately 25 and 35 minutes away, respectively. Hospitals can also be found in Ashland, Roanoke, and Alexander City.

For those who enjoy recreational activities, the Tallapoosa River and Lake Wedowee are in very close proximity to the tract, offering many opportunities for outdoor fun. Access to Tuckaway is provided via an easement off AL Hwy 77, approximately 30 minutes from US Hwy 280 and an hour from I-20 and I-85. If you're traveling from Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is about an hour and forty-five minutes away, barring any rush hour traffic.

Access

Tuckaway Acres is accessible by an easement off of AL Hwy 77, a well-maintained state highway. The property boasts a driveway cut following the easement into the property which ends at the pond. In addition, there are other interior trails that have been used to access timber on the tract that cross other landowners, with the option remaining for interior roads and trails to be built to create an entirely internal road system. Direct access to power is also available on the property.

Site Description

Tuckaway Acres features rolling terrain with well-drained soils that are ideal for timber production. The elevation ranges from around 840 feet above sea level, where the creek runs the northern border, to its highest point of about 980 feet. Additionally, there is a lovely perennial stream that flows from south to north across the property's northern edge, which enhances the land's overall beauty and ecological worth. With old hardwood trees for hard mast forage, early successional habitat in the young plantation for browse, cover, and ample water, this tract provides abundant opportunities for wildlife.

Timber

In 2019, the upland merchantable timber of the tract was harvested. The tract has additional merchantable timber within the natural bottomland hardwood stands that follow the run of the drainage system. However, state best management practices limit the amount of harvest that can take place within these areas to protect the integrity of the streams. No merchantable timber volume or value is currently assigned to this tract.

The upland areas were replanted with genetically improved loblolly pine in the winter of 2021. The acreages total approximately 40 and should grow vigorously over the next several years for timber management.

A thinning should take place at or near age 15, generating some timber income, but primarily to keep the plantation healthy and growing and help it transition into higher-value timber products such as saw timber. Timing this thinning at or near age 15 is very important to gain these benefits. Additionally, the thinning will contribute significantly to wildlife value and diversity.

To maximize return on timber value, a woody release and fertilizing post-thinning can be conducted. The plantation should be ready for a second thin at or near age 21 and reach full financial maturity between the ages of 25 and 28, at which time a final harvest can be conducted to capture its value if that is the landowner's objective.

Alternatively, if the landowner's objective is to enhance aesthetics and wildlife value after age 15, thinning and a prescribed burning regimen can begin every two or three years. Conducting control burns will enhance wildlife value, reduce the risk of loss to wildfire, improve aesthetics, and control undesired species within the plantation.

While the hardwood-dominated acreage that follows the creek has marketable value, most landowners choose to leave these stands intact to protect the integrity of the stream and add diversity to the property. This tract has a good representation of white oak within this area that produces acorns, which provide an excellent wildlife food source during the fall of the year.