Research results unanimously conclude that remnant trees are important for fostering epiphytes in young stands. Young stands with remnant trees, however, will have lower lichen biomass than mature and old-growth forests.
Not all remnant trees are equal. The practice of cutting or blasting tops out of remnant trees may promote cavity-nesting animals, but it effectively destroys the remnant tree's function as a source of propagules for lichens and bryophytes.
Although retention cuts as prescribed by the NW Forest Plan will provide much better habitat characteristics than clearcuts for the long-term maintenance of old-growth associates, a system of reserves of old forests is also necessary to provide for very rare old-growth associates.