Does cutting trees harm wildlife?
No. In fact, carefully planned timber harvest is an important tool for creating important wildlife habitats. When areas are cleared or thinned, sunlight hits the ground and many species of plants beneficial to wildlife begin to grow. The resultant grasses, shrubs and seedlings (early successional habitat) offer many critical habitats for many different wildlife species. Game species like deer and quail rely on habitats created by disturbances, and several species of songbirds now in decline also depend on them. It is important to note that early successional habitats for these species are not being provided on private lands (pastures, residential developments, etc.).
