This paper examines the effect on forest regeneration from leaving behind woody residuals on the forest floor in the form of treetops and branches after a partial tree harvest. In this study, tree sapling growth was used as the primary metric for analysis. In 2009, the existing mature hardwood forest was moderately thinned and three separate treatment plots, each measuring 1.5 hectares, were established. Each of the treatments included different levels and sizes of treetop and branch material that was left behind on the forest floor. In two of the treatments, treetops were left in loosely consolidated piles systematically distributed throughout the plots. In one of these two plots, smaller branch and treetop material up to 4” in diameter was left to make up the piles. In the second of these plots, larger treetop material up to 10” in diameter was left to make up the piles. In the third treatment, once trees were cut, all treetops and branches were removed from the plot. At the start of the study in 2009, the distribution and density of tree species throughout the entire forested stand was roughly uniform. Beginning after 10 years, in 2019 through 2023, saplings that had grown up in the plots since the harvest were measured and compared statistically to detect possible differences in numbers and species composition. The results show that the treatment with 10” material in piles of woody residuals resulted in higher species diversity, numbers of saplings, and biomass increase than in both the treatments with less woody material left behind (treatments with 4” material left in piles, and where the entire trees were removed). These results highlight the effectiveness of protecting against deer predation and enabling new sapling growth by leaving treetops and branches on the forest floor, making this a useful method for recommendation to land managers and forest owners to promote forest regeneration after a timber harvest.