Because of its importance, a seed tree should be carefully chosen based upon both economic and biological factors.
The presence of seed trees distinguishes the seed-tree method from clearcutting.
Normally, seed trees produce fruit after 5 or 7 years of age, though some cultivars need only 3 or 4.
Shelterwood cutting combined with seed tree cutting make up only 4% of logging done in Canada.
"They don't usually take the acorns more than 200 yards from the seed trees."
In the seed-tree method, 2-12 seed trees per acre (5-30/ha) are left standing in order to regenerate the forest.
It may not always be economically viable or biologically desirable to re-enter the stand to remove the remaining seed trees.
He ordered that four seed trees per acre be left intact for natural reproduction.
An additional 350,000 acres are cut using the "seed tree" or "shelterwood" approach.
They named the seed tree, and all the creatures and plants.