As a northern British Columbia some of what you were saying makes sense. The provincial government has also just recently put in deferrals that very possibly could lead to about half of the mill shutting down.
If old growth was as you to defined it, I think nobody would be chopping it down, but as it sits for forest to be considered old gross it only needs to have one tree per hectare over a certain size. in much of the area up here second growth from the early 20th century is even being considered old growth. The restrictions were primarily put in place for coastal old growth which is closer to your definition.
From what I have seen, primary logging always goes to the Mills first since they are willing to pay more money.
If old growth was as you to defined it, I think nobody would be chopping it down, but as it sits for forest to be considered old gross it only needs to have one tree per hectare over a certain size. in much of the area up here second growth from the early 20th century is even being considered old growth. The restrictions were primarily put in place for coastal old growth which is closer to your definition.
From what I have seen, primary logging always goes to the Mills first since they are willing to pay more money.