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In recent years, the approach to maintaining this forest has become more systemized. In 2012, during preparations for another restoration set from 2015 to 2017, naval foresters decided to harvest 35 trees identified as mature enough for plank replacement. These were cut down in February 2014, avoiding the bat population's breeding season, thus ensuring the ecosystem's health remained unharmed post-harvest.
After the trees were cut, they were stored and dried at Crane before being transported to Boston for use in maintaining the Constitution. The commitment to sustainable forestry practices ensures that the Navy will have the necessary materials for future restorations while preserving the ecological balance.