The "weed tree" system is not a silvicultural system. As we have seen, intent helps to define a silvicultural system. However, silviculture hinges on proper application of silvics knowledge on the ground. Many well-intended seed tree systems in the past were actually weed tree systems in disguise. Unfortunately, non-vigorous, spindly leave-trees were favoured rather than those windfirm, desirable seed sources that are used in the seed tree system of today. In addition, some of these past weed tree systems had no site preparation and/or no thought given to rapidly developing brush complexes. The moral of this story is: you can leave a few trees scattered in a block, but you may be promoting a weed tree system if it only relies on good intentions to procure regeneration.

Another variation of the weed tree system can sometimes be found where undesirable species are left behind simply because they weren't worth harvesting. If these species are prolific seed-producers and they find an acceptable seedbed, a wonderful crop of undesirable trees may result. We have grown some exceptional crops of cottonwood and birch by accident using weed tree systems rather than by design, using seed tree silvicultural systems.

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