What is the practice of cutting almost the entire stand of trees while leaving a few based on their quality and seed-bearing capacity?

The practice of cutting almost the entire stand of trees while leaving a few based on their quality and seed-bearing capacity is known as seed-tree cutting. This forestry technique involves removing most trees in a given area but intentionally retaining a limited number of high-quality trees. These retained trees serve multiple purposes: they provide immediate shade and cover for young seedlings, contribute to the regeneration of the forest by producing seeds, and help maintain some habitat qualities for wildlife.

Seed-tree cutting is particularly beneficial for facilitating the growth of new seedlings by ensuring that there are existing trees that can seed the area. This method is aimed at promoting regeneration while still allowing for some management of the species composition and maintaining ecological balance through the selective retention of well-adapted trees.

This method contrasts with clear-cutting, where all trees are removed without leaving any for future growth. Thinning involves the selective removal of trees to reduce competition among the remaining ones and is typically applied in stands that are already established. Shelterwood cutting, on the other hand, involves a more gradual removal process that creates conditions for natural regeneration under a protective canopy, but it doesn't involve cutting most trees at once with the intention of leaving a few for future seed production in the same way as seed-tree cutting does.