Which harvesting technique selectively removes only the largest and most valuable trees?

The correct answer is high-grading, which is a harvesting technique that focuses on removing only the largest and most valuable trees within a forest stand. This method often targets specific tree species that are in high demand due to their size, quality, or market value. By selecting these trees, high-grading can yield immediate financial returns for loggers, but it can also have negative long-term consequences for the forest ecosystem.

High-grading can lead to a decline in forest health and biodiversity because it often disturbs the structure and composition of the forest, leaving behind smaller, younger trees that may not be as valuable. As the larger, dominant trees are removed, there is less competition for resources among the remaining trees, which can alter the overall dynamics of the forest community.

In contrast, selective logging involves removing individual trees while maintaining the overall forest structure and health, clear-cutting entails removing all trees in a designated area regardless of size or species, and thinning is a management technique that removes some trees to reduce competition among remaining trees and promote growth. These methods have different impacts on the forest, with selective logging and thinning often being more sustainable practices compared to high-grading.