The Government of Alberta is reminding residents that you can cut down your own Christmas tree this year, on crown land in designated areas and only with a Personal Use Forest Products Permit.
Additionally, the province also offers Local Timber Permits but only the PUFPP is necessary for Christmas tree hunting.
Allanah McLean is the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area Information Coordinator, she explains that the PUFPP is most commonly used.
“In Alberta, we have two types of permits that allow Albertans to harvest trees for personal use. The first one, and the one that we see most often this time of year, is what we call the Personal Use Forest Products Permit, or commonly referred to as the PUFPPs. This permit is used for harvesting Christmas trees, small amounts of firewood, roundwood, and often even transplant trees.”
The permit allows residents to cut up to 3 Christmas trees under 2.5 metres or approximately 8 feet in height and no more than 15 cm in diameter at the stump.
To get a PUFPP, you must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Alberta and in good standing with the Crown relating to timber, grazing and land use.
You can get a PUFPP on someone else’s behalf. However, they must be present and in possession of the PUFPP when the trees associated with that permit are being harvested.
Mclean says the permits are free and easy to obtain.
“Go to our website. The PUFPP has a very straightforward process. You go onto the website, and we have a really helpful interactive map tool for you to find the perfect place to get your Christmas tree or your firewood. The permit process is online and really easy.”
Personal Use Forest Products Permits are available now through the Alberta.ca website.
