In B.C., a family can cut down three Christmas trees on Crown land for free

[Locutus]

If you live in B.C., you can skip the Christmas tree lot or garden centre, and cut down a tree for free on Crown land - subject to particular rules and restrictions.

"We encourage people to go out and have a good time, but really to be aware of safety," Heather Rice, a forest health officer with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations told the CBC's Daybreak South.

The Christmas Tree Permit can be printed online, or obtained in a Ministry office. Once you have a permit, Rice says it's important to read through the rules carefully.

According to the Ministry's website, here's what you need to know:

• You have to be 19 years old and a resident of B.C. to be eligible for a Christmas Tree Permit.
• The permit does not apply to people who already have a suitable Christmas tree on their private land.
• You must carry your permit with you while cutting down your tree, and you may be asked by a Forest Official to produce it.
• In most areas, you can only cut down a tree in designated areas, including: hydro rights-of-way (on Crown land portions only and where Christmas trees aren't already being grown commercially), logging roads (within three metres of the edge of the road) and open range lands.
• You cannot cut down a tree on private lands, plantations, research areas, parks, watersheds, juvenile-spaced areas and other areas reserved for special use.
• Each family is allowed to cut a maximum of three trees.
• Trees are for personal use only and cannot be re-sold at a profit.
• Douglas fir on dry sites make the best Christmas trees. Lodgepole pine, spruce balsam and other species may be designated for cutting if Douglas fir isn't available.
• Choose a tree that is the size you want. Cutting the top part of a big tree leaves a fire hazard, and could be a waste of a future tree.
• Do not leave lower boles (trunks) and branches of cut trees on the road or in the ditch.
• The tree cannot be taken out of province.
• Failing to follow the rules could result in fines or prosecution under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Christmas trees on Crown land: what you need to know - British Columbia - CBC News

 

[Twila]

I had no idea.

 

[bill barilko]

The tree cannot be taken out of province....Failing to follow the rules could result in fines or prosecution under the Criminal Code of Canada.

I would dearly love for someone to be charged under the Criminal Code with taking a tree out of province I really would.

Hmmm.....must be bored stiff today.

 

[MHz]

So how many people in BC get a tree as their gift? Just saying, . . . two off the list is two off the lkist no matter how you count it.

 

[taxslave]

Be careful on the logging roads for xmas trees. In many places that logging road is actually on private land. Not all power lines are fair game either, even if there is no tree farm on them. Basically know where you are before you cut.

 

[MHz]

Put a price on them and that would help the metal christmas tree manufactorers as the saw and such are probablt made in china, as are all the decorations and wrapping paper. More eggnog?

 

[petros]

The ditch along highway 1 is Crown.

 

[damngrumpy]

People should be charged if not following the rules but they won't be as there are not
enough people working to do anything about it. I remember as a kid going out and
cutting our own tree great experience for a family indeed.

 

[taxslave]

The ditch along highway 1 is Crown.

Dangerous place to be during rush hour.

 

[petros]

Dangerous place to be during rush hour.

Half the Province is Chinamen. It's always dangerous anywhere there is asphalt.