If an area is deforested it can never come back is that true?

Question

Because the larger trees wick ground water to the surface and surface rain is not signifigant enough to grow imature trees to full maturity. So an area that is deforested a forest can never return unless it is by an area with lots of water say a river or lake. Anyone know just wondering because if that is the case clear cutting all large trees should never be allowed.

Answer 1

If left alone growth will return.

ET

Answer 2

I think that's true. That shouldn't be done.

Answer 3

No. I've seen many places where a wooded area has been cut down, a building built, and later abandoned. The woods quickly grew back (within about 50 years).

Answer 4

That statement is very generalized, and as a former US Forest Service employee, I'd can say it would depend on the region in which the cutting was done.  Out west, the conditions are drier, and what you say can happen, not only after clearcutting, but after fires.  Without the tree cover, any moisture from rainfall either quickly runs off, is absorbed deep into the soil, or is evaporated from the surface from heat.

In the eastern US it's an entirely different story - there, there's enough rainfall that by the next year, trees from sprouted seeds can be up to several feet tall.  The factor most affecting a forest's recovery here is deer browising the young plants.

And before all "clearcutting" is banned, it should be noted that some tree species need abundant light to germinate and grow.  In selective cuts, these don't always come back as well as they do in a well managed clear cut.   (by "mananged" I mean to control soil erosion, and to leave small patches of adult trees to reseed an area for trees which may not naturally be able to reproduce from a local seed bank in the soil).

Answer 5

false

it can be done

I've seen it with my own eyes

my lawnmower broke down last year

now my whole front yard has reforested