You can hear 'em chewing away?
I suppose you're right about the whole tree harvesting being faster, I've never been in an area where that type of harvesting going on. Timbcos sure seemed light speed to me, compared to chainsaws.
Only bark beetles that I'm familiar with are southern pine beetles and Ips. SPBs are serious problems but obviously not in your area. If my brain is working right I think Ips usually just attack stressed and dying trees. So probably not a big deal to leave tops behind, the risk would be worth the nutrient advantage.
