What Is Selective Cut Logging — And Why It’s the Best Option for Your Woods

Thinking about cutting your woods?

If you're a landowner in Upstate New York and you're considering a timber harvest, the term logging might bring up images of bare hillsides or large pine stands being cleared out. That’s not what we do — and it’s not how hardwood forests like yours should be managed.

What we practice is selective cut logging

Selective cut logging means removing only certain trees — the ones that are overcrowded, declining, poorly formed, or fully mature and losing value — while leaving the rest of the forest standing strong.

This approach improves sunlight penetration, encourages natural regeneration, and gives your best timber room to grow. It's not about taking everything — it’s about working with the forest, not against it.

Long-term health and stronger returns

This method does more than protect your land — it can also increase its long-term value. By focusing on forest quality and working in cycles, we’re able to help landowners harvest multiple times over the years, rather than just once.

We use low-impact, hand-cutting methods, and we sort and grade all harvested logs by species and quality to place them with the best possible buyer — whether it’s a regional sawmill, veneer buyer, or local lumber customer. That means you get a better return per tree without overcutting.

The tops and lesser-grade wood go toward split firewood or log loads, so nothing is left to waste.

And yes — this benefits wildlife, too

By opening up crowded stands, increasing ground cover, and encouraging natural regrowth, selective logging often improves conditions for deer, turkey, and other game. The leftover tops and brush piles also provide excellent cover and food sources — deer browse on new growth and twigs, while small game uses the structure for shelter.

Many of our landowners are hunters themselves — or lease their land — and appreciate the habitat benefits that come with careful forest work.

(We’ll share more on that in a future blog or FAQ.)

Ready to walk your woods?

We’re happy to meet you on-site, take a walk through your lot, and give you a straight answer about what’s worth cutting — and what’s better left for another year. Whether you're looking for a small harvest, long-term management, or just exploring your options, we're here to help.

Call or text: 315-404-8978
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