Which method of selective cutting involves removing groups of trees?

Group-tree selection is a method of selective cutting where small groups of trees are removed at one time, allowing for the growth of a healthier mixed-age forest. This approach encourages the regeneration of certain tree species that thrive in gaps created by the removal of groups of trees. By removing multiple trees in small patches rather than individual or extensive areas, this method promotes biodiversity and provides varying habitats for wildlife. This technique is particularly beneficial in maintaining forest structure and preventing the over-dominance of any single tree species, fostering a more resilient ecosystem overall.

In contrast, shelter-wood cutting involves a more gradual removal of trees over time to establish a new generation of trees under the protection of older trees. Single-tree selection focuses on the removal of individual trees dispersed throughout the forest, creating gaps but not groups. Clear-cutting is a method characterized by the complete removal of all trees in an area, which is quite different from the selective approach of group-tree selection.