What is the process called when wood products are removed from the forest?

The process of removing wood products from the forest is referred to as harvesting. Harvesting encompasses various methods of collecting timber and other forest products in a sustainable manner, aimed at balancing ecological health with economic viability. This term emphasizes the management aspect of forestry, where the focus is on careful planning and execution to ensure that future forest growth and biodiversity are maintained.

While "logging" is often used interchangeably with harvesting, it specifically refers to the actual cutting down of trees and may carry a connotation of less sustainable practices. "Clearing" typically refers to the removal of trees and vegetation from a specific area, often for land development or agriculture, rather than focusing solely on the sustainable extraction of forest products. "Agriculture" refers to the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock, which is a different field entirely from forestry management. Thus, harvesting is the most accurate term for the overall process of responsibly removing wood products from the forest.