Which method involves selective removal of trees to manage forest density and health?

The method involving selective removal of trees to manage forest density and health is selective cutting. This practice focuses on choosing specific trees for harvest based on various criteria such as their size, species, and health. By selectively removing trees, foresters can reduce competition for resources among remaining trees, allow for increased growth, and enhance the overall health of the forest ecosystem. This method promotes biodiversity and helps in maintaining a balanced forest structure.

In contrast, the other methods have different objectives. Clear-cutting entails removing all trees in a specific area, which can lead to habitat loss and increased erosion. Shelterwood cutting involves removing trees in phases, which can still affect the overall forest structure significantly but is usually done to prepare the site for new seedlings. Seed-tree cutting entails leaving a few mature trees to provide seeds for regeneration, but this also does not focus on the selective removal of individual trees for the purpose of managing density and health as effectively as selective cutting does.