Not just trees — a forest
Replanting after logging is great, but the number of trees in a forest is not the only point. What's more important is whether the forest can produce a steady flow of timber, protect the water in the streams that run through it, and provide habitat for wildlife. That's a good thing about FSC-certified logging — even though it removes individual and small patches of trees, it still leaves behind a healthy forest. After all, living trees aren’t all that matters. Standing dead trees provide dens for mammals and places for birds to nest, and dead logs on the ground help nourish young seedlings. A diversity of trees is important, too. Research has shown that red alder — for decades killed with herbicides under much industrial management — improves the fertility of the soil and actually accelerates the growth of Douglas fir, besides making valuable lumber in its own right. FSC certification considers all these factors, and looks after the whole forest.
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