Question about land management in nh (moving, eat, health)

[GraniteStater]

I just have a question for NHites or others to possibly answer? I have done lots of driving and traveling in NH since moving here last year. I was wondering why so many landowners or property owners clear a wooded lot or parcel and leave all of the remaining stumps in place. Based on my limited experiences with forestry, I thought selectively cutting out some trees and removing the stumps will allow new saplings to grow in much faster in order to retain overall forest health.

[Mrtwigg]

Selling off the standing timber for a quick profit ?

[GregW]

What happens depends on what kinds of trees were cut and what the following use of the land will be.

If the trees were evergreens (pines, spruce, and hemlock) the stumps will rot in place because the tree was killed. If the woods were some kinds of deciduous (maple, oak) then the trees will survive and grow back from the stumps.

If the field is going to be used for pasture the stumps will just be left in place. The grazing animals will eat the sprouting trees and eventually kill them off. If it is to be used for crops, including hay, the stumps, and rocks, will be removed and the field planted with grass or the crop.

Mostly cutover fields are left as is where is because this is cheaper than anything else. The deciduous trees grow from the stumps and the pines from seeds. The result is a very site dependant mixed forest that is characteristic of most of the New England woods. FWIW – In 1890 New England was 85% fields and farms. Now it is 85% woods. Farms, cities and roads take up the rest.