The forest law dictates that a forest owner must always replant their commercial forest after it has been cut. For decades, forest owners have taken care of their forests according to the guidelines set by various forestry societies. In Finnish forestry, the sustainable use of forests is a priority. Because of this, yearly fellings must not exceed the amount of new trees produced by the forest. After felling, forests are regrown either via natural regeneration or forest cultivation.

A forest is regrown via natural regeneration when it has enough suitable seed-producing trees and when the soil type is suitable for accommodating the growth of these seeds. Naturally regenerated forests help to conserve tree species that have adapted to the forest's conditions. For example, pine forests are regenerated naturally by leaving 20–50 seed-producing trees per hectare. After the seeds emitted by these trees have grown into saplings, the seed-producing trees are cut down.


In forest cultivation, new saplings or seeds are planted after felling.

In forest cultivation, new saplings or seeds are planted after felling. Saplings are often planted during the spring. Pine saplings grow efficiently after being planted, which is why they are often planted in dry areas. On the other hand, young spruce trees often lose out to other plants, which is why they are only rarely planted as saplings.

The saplings are taken care of after both natural regeneration and planting. Grasses are kept away from the trees, and excess moisture is prevented from accumulating in the forest.

Forests are often thinned out via improvement felling. In improvement felling, some trees are cut down to give other trees more space and resources to grow. Forest diversity is taken into account in improvement felling by leaving some dead trees and wind-blown trunks in the forest. 

By fertilizing the forest, tree growth can be accellerated.

The final felling (or regeneration felling) takes place 70–100 years after the forest has been regenerated. Forest diversity is also preserved in regeneration felling by leaving some parts of the forest untouched.

Felling waste is gathered from the forest floor after cutting. It is used to create wood chips, which are one of the most important energy sources in Finland.

After regeneration felling, the commercial forest cycle continues either by planting seeds or saplings or by letting the forest regenerate naturally.