The
Wright Forest Natural Area is the only known example of an
extensive white pine and hemlock pre-settlement forest, which
originally covered much of the floor of Shady Valley, Johnson
County. It is part of a working "century farm", having
been in the same Wright family from a land grant dating to the
late 1700’s. One of the earliest stewards of this farm was Celia
Brown Cole, daughter of the original settler in Shady Valley.
Shady Valley was extensively logged at the turn of the century,
with white pine yields from the forests exceeding 100,000 board
feet per acre, reportedly the highest yields ever reported
anywhere for this species. The Wright Forest Natural Area is the
only known remnant of this original forest and covers 15 acres.
Many of the white pines and hemlocks now growing in the forest
exceed 140 years of age. One noted tree, felled by natural causes,
was reported to have been over 200 years old.
The forest was included on the Tennessee Register of Natural
Areas, under the Natural Areas Preservation Act in 1980. The
Society of American Foresters included the Wright Forest Natural
Area on their national Natural Areas Register in 1985, one of only
six such white pine-hemlock areas in the country.
The Wright Forest Natural Area is on a private farm in Shady
Valley, Johnson County.
Originally nominated by Dennis Testerman.
Entered into the Landmark & Historic Tree Register in 1998
as a landmark tree.
