I have a thought. Many trees are lost due to bears. When 2nd growth timber reaches a certain age they go in and thin half the trees to let others get more growth. What's the difference a chainsaw or a bear?
Just a thought
I had the exact same thought years ago. And you're exactly right. They plant way more trees than necessary to begin with. So in actuality, the bears are providing a benefit by thinning out the trees. All at no cost to the timber companies. 
When the stand of trees hit 4-8 inches around or so the bear will take em all out in big areas, and not mess with all the little scraggly volunteer trees 1-2 inches around, those are the ones which need culled - not the prime ones.
They like the trees when they can peel long slabs up the trunk, much more than 10 inch thick tree or so and the peeling gets harder/less rewarding
