I'm curious about forestry practices in the ancient world, specifically during the Roman Empire. I have worked as a planter in British Columbia for several seasons, and I'm curious as to how the industry worked in the past .

So, some questions: Was forestry a commercial operation? Was it administrated by the government and specific tasks contracted to private entities? Were there tree farms or were natural growths culled periodically? Were culled forests left to regenerate naturally or were they replanted by hand? How were these practices affected by the "decline" of the empire?

I realize this is a lot of questions, any and all answers are appreciated, or just a link to a book/webpage/whatever.