Hello fellow tree lovers, I have a general question and favor to ask of anyone that has been in my situation:

I have a beautiful plot of land (16 acres) in WV. There is a creek going thru it, and there was once a grist mill where the 15 foot waterfall is. It washed away around 1910. My plan when I purchased the property was to put the grist mill back, produce electricity and live off the grid...it still is the plan, but this is where the other part of my plan was ruined.

My neighbors whom have 125 acres timbered their land and encroched onto my land and cut down 33 oak and poplar trees that were on my land. These trees were all at least 75-100 years old. The way the land sits in the steep valley, this was the only place where hardwoods grew...every where else there are pines, sycamores, ect. I had plans in putting in a treesort, where the treehouses would have a view of the waterfall. The only way to get to that part of my property is to hike across the creek...there are no roads on that side. Along with the treesort a climbing grove would have been established. Of all the trees on my 16 acres the ones that were timbered were the ones that provided great climbing...I don't find climbing hemlock's that much fun...no branch walking !

I do have a lawyer and a court date...late Sept.of 08. I just wanted to put my situation out there to see if anyone had any ideas or experience with such a problem, that could help in some way.?

also, if anyone needs a place to camp when going thru WV, drop me line...I will continue working on the land in hopes of a climbing grove, but my best trees are gone. I am working with the local forest to establish a climbing tree (kanawha state forest) we should have one going by the spring.

thanks for any suggestions,
be well,
rob