Undervalued in many ways. There are a few of us around who don't just see the forest as a factory producing logs and targets for the hook and bullet crowd. It's a fact. Between us, Karl Davies and I have over 50 years experience doing this. The forests we manage are some of the nicest in New England- fully intact while generating wealth for the landowner too.
Massive deforestation does occur.
People who do that are criminals as far as I'm concerned. Humility is a relative term. There are also measurable benefits to the health of the forest. This type of forestry is rare. Because it's rare, don't think that it doesn't occur.