Deforestation occurs when forests are converted permanently or semi-permanently to another land use, such as real estate development or agriculture. Deforestation does not happen through sustainable forestry operations. Sustainably harvesting forests for forest products is not deforestation when forests are replanted or regrown.
When most people think of deforestation, they often picture the clearing of the Amazon rainforest or palm oil plantations. This is drastically different than the reality of forestry in the U.S., where tree harvesting is meticulously planned and monitored, and primarily occurring in areas specifically planted for the purpose of producing sustainable forest products. U.S. private forest owners understand the economic, social, and environmental benefits of ensuring a forest stand is regrown as quickly and healthily as possible to ensure the forest remains intact and functioning.
The U.S. has had a stable amount of forest area since the 1950s because of sustainable forest management (SFM). A core principle of SFM is the continuous cycle of growth, harvest, and regrowth to keep forests intact. The standard practice is to replant within a year of timber harvesting to ensure a healthy and reestablished forest within five years of a harvest. The Forest Service projects that future forest loss in the U.S. will be driven by wildfire, expansion of urban areas, and conversion to agricultural uses.
Harvesting occurs on less than 2% of private working forests each year. Replanting occurs on roughly the same number of acres annually. This continuous cycle provides a mosaic of forest age and size classes across the landscape, which is beneficial for wildlife, water quality, carbon sequestration, and carbon storage. It also ensures a renewable and abundant natural resource for future generations.