How to Cut A Wild Christmas Tree

There are two types of people when it comes to Christmas trees: “Artificial Tree” people and “Live Tree” people. My family has always fallen squarely into the Live Tree camp, and I can’t imagine it any other way. However, there are subcategories to Live Tree people. Live Trees can come pre-cut from a Wal Mart parking lot, you can go to a Christmas tree farm and go the DIY cut-your-own route, or you can buy a non-cut one that still has its roots, decorate it for Christmas, and then plant it in your yard only for it to come down in a storm 10 years later (speaking from experience here). The final option is to cut a tree in a public forest, which is arguably the most fun.

To do this legally, some research is required. Many federal forests (forests managed by the US Forest Service) have permits available online. Recreation.gov, the website used by the federal system for campsite and backcountry reservations at a variety of sites nationwide, is a good place to start and many national forests offer permits via the site. These permits are typically for non-commercial use (i.e., you can’t supply your own Christmas tree business with trees taken from national forest land). But they do allow some level of personal use for your own Christmas trees. 

In addition to national forest lands, many state and county forests offer Christmas tree permits. It can vary whether permits can be obtained online, and often you will have to physically visit a forest headquarters or ranger station to get one of these permits. Ask about permit conditions– usually they’re pretty general such as not harvesting trees too close to the road or from campgrounds or other heavily used areas.

Once the permit is secured, the fun part begins. Research the tree species that can be found in your area– there are big differences in the aesthetics of a pine, fir or spruce. Trees that are growing in more open areas are often more filled out and less sparse than trees growing in the timber with a dense canopy and little light penetration. Be sure to measure your space ahead of time– both height and diameter. It can be tough to eyeball a tree out in its natural habitat for size. Bringing a tape measure with you can help you ground-truth a tree. 

One other thing to keep in mind is movement restrictions for trees. Some areas have restrictions on moving trees and firewood too far to prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases. 

Good things to bring are a rope, a sharp saw, pruners, and ratchet straps for getting the tree home safely. While a wild tree may not have the perfect, manicured look of a farm-grown tree, the memories and charm make up for a lack of symmetry! Enjoy this winter foraging opportunity and the fun that comes along with it! 

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