Polly Ham Forest

For the first time in over 100 years, the 395±-acre Polly Ham Forest is on the market. This expansive woodland property, located in historic Canterbury and Northfield, New Hampshire is less than 30 minutes from the I-93 corridor, Route 106, and the Lakes Region. A productive oak forest awaits with endless opportunities for practicing a country life, recreating, and forestry. Access to the property is via Bean Hill Road in Canterbury, a Class VI, non-maintained road, but Baptist Hill Road and power are a short quarter-mile away to the south. A large clearing off Bean Hill Road offers potential for development (with planning board approval) as hinted at by the four old cellar holes that abut the road.

This largely forested property has excellent interior access provided by an old farm road/trail that runs east/west, from Bean Hill Road to an old, “range road” running along the western boundary. Many uses can be made of this semi-improved trail, and it works well for both recreation and management. Southern exposure and aspects highlight a variable but commercial terrain. Water resources on the property include Pickard Brook, a wetland complex, and riparian areas, adding diversity and valuable habitats.

Red oak, hemlock, and white pine dominate this healthy, well managed and productive working forest. A recent forest inventory (July 2020) estimates over three million feet of sawtimber and pallet logs, dominated by over a million feet of high-quality red oak. Stocking levels for the forest are good overall with an estimated 32 gross cord/acre of merchantable volume. The forest is well set up to deliver short- and long-term timber revenue.

The Polly Ham Forest, owned by the same family for over a century, is good quality, mixed oak forestland in central New Hampshire. It is just off the beaten path but easy to get to and offers a chance to put down roots or recreate for the day. Invest in a valuable forest asset and watch its value increase with stewardship. Ownerships like this are rare in the region and this is a well-timed opportunity to invest in valuable, multiple use timberland.