(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, upon completion of any cutting operation the operator or landowner shall leave uncut and uninjured at least eight cone-bearing loblolly, shortleaf, or pond pine trees 14 inches or larger in diameter on each acre cut for the purpose of reseeding. If eight cone-bearing loblolly, shortleaf, or pond pines 14 inches in diameter are not present on any acre, the operator or landowner shall leave uncut and uninjured in place of each cone-bearing loblolly, shortleaf, or pond pine tree of the required diameter, at least two cone-bearing pine trees of the next largest diameter there standing. Trees left uncut pursuant to this section for the purpose of reseeding shall be healthy, windfirm, well-distributed throughout each acre, and with well-developed crowns possessing a sufficient number of cones to reforest the areas affected by the cutting operation.