Is it true that pre-commercial thinning is conducted when trees are large enough to be sold?

Pre-commercial thinning is a forest management practice that is carried out with the intention of improving the growth and health of the remaining trees in a stand rather than for the purpose of generating immediate financial returns from tree sales. This practice typically occurs when the trees are still relatively small and not yet mature enough for commercial harvesting.

The goal of pre-commercial thinning is to reduce competition for resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients among the trees, allowing the healthier or more desirable trees to grow stronger. Because pre-commercial thinning is done on young trees before they reach a size or condition that makes them viable for sale, it directly supports long-term forest management goals rather than short-term economic gain.

This understanding clarifies that only mature trees, which have reached sufficient size and quality, would be considered for sale, indicating that the statement about conducting pre-commercial thinning when trees are large enough to be sold is not accurate.