Forest isn't wild. Forest is managed. Every Amish farm keeps 5-10 acres of woodland. Not from ecology (though that too). From practicality.
What Forest Gives
Firewood (5-8 cords/year, all winter). Building timber (oak, hickory — for barns and buggies). Maple syrup (February-March, 40 gallons sap = 1 gallon syrup). Mushrooms (shiitake on logs, wild chanterelles). Hunting (deer = 60-80 lbs meat).
Rule
Cut a tree — plant two. Not metaphor. Literally. Every year — planting. Forest in a generation must be larger than now.