Why don't we just leave forests alone?

It might be true that leaving forests totally alone is more "natural," but it may not be more beneficial or practical. Land is either owned by governments, companies, or individuals. When companies and individuals own land, they need to put it to some use to help pay for it.

Growing managed timberlands allows people to use land in a way which preserves trees. The only other way to keep the land green with trees is for government-type agencies to buy the land and maintain it as a park or wilderness area. This approach costs taxpayers money, and is often not an option because of the difficulties in acquiring the land and settling the political issues involved.

All in all, wise use of forests and the products which come from them is good for people and for trees too.

Forests grow in all areas of the U.S. If these trees were all put together limb to limb, they would take up a space equivalent to one third of the country.