Find your Christmas tree for free on Alberta’s Crown land

As long as they have a permit, Albertans can cut down up to three trees up to two-and-a-half metres in height from the province's designated Crown land regions. (Pexels/Collab Media)

Albertans looking for the traditional experience of going out into the forest to find their perfect Christmas tree need to be aware of some rules, the provincial government says.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Selecting and cutting down a tree on Crown land for the holiday season is completely free for Alberta residents, but officials say you will need a Personal Use Forest Products Permit (PUFPP).

The document, which can be applied for online, allows residents to cut down up to three trees under two-and-a-half metres tall and no larger than 15 centimetres in diameter at the stump.

Albertans are advised not to cut the tops off of trees taller than the permitted height to use as their Christmas tree.

The trees must be for personal use and not for resale.

The PUFPP also allows residents to transplant up to 20 trees less than two-and-a-half metres tall, gather up to five cubic metres of roundwood timber for fence posts/poles or cut up to five cubic metres of firewood.

The number of trees allowed for firewood purposes depends on the type of trees:

• five to seven large coniferous trees (generally trees with needles);
• four to six deciduous trees (generally trees with leaves); or
• Five cubic metres is approximately 1.5 cords (approximately 3 level 1/2 ton pickup truck boxes).

PUFPPs are authorized on designated Crown land within Alberta and residents must carry the document while cutting or transporting trees.

Officials say residents need to be careful about where they cut, even on Crown land.

“There are some sites that are off limits. This includes within 30 metres of a stream or river and within 100 metres of a lake. You cannot harvest Christmas trees from facilities such as roadside turnouts, viewpoints, recreation areas or campgrounds,” officials said in a statement.

Residents can hold up to four permits at a time during a 30-day period, but never two permits for the same purpose.

Permits should be either printed or downloaded to a mobile device because cell service can be unreliable in the forest.

Albertans are also encouraged to be prepared for all conditions and consider packing extra winter clothing and emergency supplies.