How does single-tree selection help regenerate a forest?

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Logging in Borneo — forestry Trucks on a road transporting recently harvested logs near Sabah's border with Kalimantan in Borneo.

Single-tree selection is a silvicultural method that promotes forest regeneration by removing individual marketable trees to create small gaps in the canopy.1

These gaps provide the necessary light, soil, and growing space for natural seedlings to establish themselves and thrive. By focusing on individual trees rather than clearing large areas, this approach ensures that the forest structure remains relatively intact, which is particularly beneficial for preventing soil erosion and avalanches on steep slopes. This method is considered an economical way to manage forest resources while maintaining continuous cover and supporting the growth of the next generation of trees.1