How is logging different from farming?

Question

I'm just curious, because you always hear about how bad logging is for the environment because it's killing the trees, but trees are plants, so how is it different from farming, because both are harvesting plants?

Answer 1

MODERN logging IS farming.....just takes longer for the crop to mature.

Answer 2

Petguy said how logging used to be done in the olden days. Yes it's still done that way when the purpose is to clear land, but that's not so common anymore.



Most logging done now is selective, meaning they just go after certain trees, typically the most mature as well as excess trees, often of a certain species. Actually responsible logging is one of the best things for a forest as it keeps the forest alive. These older trees shade out and take nutrients that could be taken by smaller trees, which won't grow nearly as well with the competition given by the other larger trees. Actually responsible logging increases the number of trees over time. Another side benefit is by thinning down the woods, you create wildlife habitat. Last time we thinned out the woods behind the house the number of deer that lived there tripled.



Of course there are irresponsible loggers out there just looking for a quick buck at any cost. Often once these people get a reputation in an area they move on to another area as their name turns to mud quite quickly. Logging companies that own their own forests have every incentive to keep it responsible as that land is their livelihood so of course they will take the best care of it that they possibly can as it guarantees the sustainability of their business. This is the same as farmers and their land. Many loggers will lease or do custom work for other landowners. Once again if they do an appropriate and responsible job they thrive by developing relationships with the landowners and get to do multiple harvests from the same tract, as well as develop a good reputation in the area and gain business. As said earlier those who come in and basically rape the forest have to be constantly on the move due to very unhappy landowners who will not have them back!



Done properly logging is not like mining as trees are considered a renewable resource, they do grow back. Granted this is nowhere near as quickly as crops, but often with responsible logging the same tract can be selectively harvested every 5-10 years. With mining, which is typically done in resources that are not considered renewable, it's grab what you can and move on.

Answer 3

Eric is mostly right. There are farms that grow trees that are harvested like crops whether they be pines, walnut, poplar, etc. They plant the "crop" and then log the land. There are two types of logging. One of a manmade forest and one of a wild forest.



http://www.treefarmsystem.org/cms/pages/20_5.html

Answer 4

They are similar in a way that they are both being harvested and giving humans resources. They are also different. The machinery used is different in each business. Also, the way the resources are used is different. Wood is used for heat or building. Crops are used for cooking oil or eating.

Answer 5

Here is the idea. This can be in different perspectives...



First off, farming is the production of living things to sell for profit. Usually dealing with plants or animals. Many things are considered farming. Examples: wool production, hay production, honey production, christmas tree growing, rice production, produce production, orchard growing, flower and ornamental plant production, and even some timber industries that grow trees for cutting purposes.



Logging is going into nature produced forests or woodlands to collect timber. The trees grow naturally and not by humans. This takes away from the farming perspective. This is basically taking advantage of nature's resources. This is just like coal mining, oil drilling, diamond mining, and salt industries. Even some fish production is like this too because the fish are taken from their natural habitat to be sold for profit.



Farming is raising and we are not harming nature by harvesting plants. Instead we are taking away natural places to benefit us and turn them into farm land. Logging is a once and done thing, we go in cut trees, sell timber, and keep moving.