Ok, This may take some time to explain. First of all, let me say that my experience is limited to East Texas, where you can't walk 10 ft. without seeing a tree or a cow.
Replanting is simply taking seedlings (in our case, Loblolly Pine for economic reasons and soil compatibility) and planting them in areas to "Reforest" them. Because most Pine trees stop growing at around 50 yrs. most planted pine forests, also called a Pine Plantation, are kept on an 35-50 yr. rotation.
The seedlings (1-2 yr. old trees) are planted usually between the first of January to the end of March. This is important because the seedlings have to be dormant at the time of planting. In 10-15 yrs. the planted tract of land will be thinned. This means that the trees that are overcrowding or are undesirable from a merchantable point of view will be removed to allow the healthier trees more room and resources to continue growing. Depending on the landowners objectives the tract may be thinned up to 3 more times before the final harvest. Each time the tract is thinned it will bring a little money to the landowner. However, the final harvest, or clearcut, will bring the most money.
For that reason, most paper and lumber industries will continue to replant a tract after its rotation is over. Its in the best interests of companies to continue to produce their own timber, rather than purchase from private landowners. For one reason, they will be able to control the quality of the timber and the length of each rotation. For another reason, this allows them to manage for wildlife as well. Most companies allow the public to tour or even hunt on their tracts. They want the public to know that they are not destroying the land, simply managing it for the benefit of both the environment and the economy.
You have to also understand that here in East Texas there is no such thing as old growth forest anymore.
Also, if replanting is not within a landowner's budget, there are simpler ways to harvest timber and allow for a future forest. Leaving certain high quality trees within the cut, spaced evenly throughout, will allow for the mature trees to "seed out." This allows for the next generation of trees to grow. Once a large number of new seedlings are established the larger "Seed Trees" can than be harvested.
This entire process allows for all aspects of forest health. The wildlife always have plenty of cover and food. The trees are always growing and the land is being used in a healthy way. And the landowner is making an investment for the future.
If you have any further questions please ask me anytime or try this website for more information:
http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/
Thanks for the reply and the link
I never heard of the loblolly pine before.
I was looking at some google images.
Some of them look like a single trunk,mostly bare except for crown.
While others are multi-trunk and quite full, like this one....
Here's a Ontario industry link....
Ontario Forest Industries Association
"The forest industry directly or indirectly employs almost 230,000 Ontarians, and supports more than 40 forestry-dependent communities."
And a government link...
Ontario Forest Research Institute