We are beginning to understand how the forest reacts to our actions. You, as a 4-H'er, are likely to become a leader in your state or community someday. The Forestry Cycle We can get a better idea of what forestry is all about by following the forestry cycle. We could start at any point in the cycle, but let's start with the birth of a forest. As older trees are removed or die, enough sunlight is allowed to reach the young seedlings or sprouts.
Trees produce thousands of seed, many more than are needed.
Sprouts come from small buds on the stumps or from the roots of trees that have died. Other forests are started by forest workers who plant seed by hand, by machine, and even by air. Some seeds are planted in nurseries to produce seedlings, while others are sown directly in the forest. Seedlings grown in a nursery are then transplanted in an area where they can grow and become a new forest. A forest contains many different kinds of trees, but all trees have roots, a trunk, and a crown.