Permits to cut Christmas trees at designated sites in eastern Manitoba are now available online at the Manitoba Forestry Association’s website. This announcement was made by Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Tom Nevakshonoff.
“By partnering with the Manitoba Forestry Association, we’re now able to offer online permits to cut Christmas trees in eastern Manitoba,” said Minister Nevakshonoff. “For many people, cutting down their own Christmas tree is a special holiday tradition. This change will make it easier for people who want to do so at our designated sites.”
The designated Christmas tree cutting areas are at a site approximately 12 kilometres east of Richer and north of the Trans-Canada Highway and a second site southwest of Milner Ridge off PR 435.
After purchasing a permit for $5 plus GST, Manitobans can cut a coniferous tree up to three metres high and the limit is one tree per household. Special conditions for the permit include:
- cutting shall be confined to the area stated on the permit,
- the tree shall not be sold or bartered,
- the permit shall be retained by the person in possession of the tree,
- the permit shall be produced for inspection on request by a conservation officer, and
- the permit expires on Dec. 31 in the year it is issued.
Manitobans who purchase a permit online with the Manitoba Forestry Association will receive a receipt that is the equivalent of the normal permit issued by the province.
“We are happy to work with the province to make their Christmas tree permits more accessible. This initiative fits well with our other forestry education and tree planting program,” said Patricia Pohrebniuk, executive director, Manitoba Forestry Association. “The association has always promoted the growing and use of ‘real’ Christmas trees and encourages the public to consider Manitoba’s private Christmas Tree Growers Association as well.”
Permits are also available in all district offices and in Winnipeg at 200 Saulteaux Crescent or 1007 Century Street. For more information, including maps of designated cutting areas and links to purchase permits, visit gov.mb.ca.
The minister noted the Manitoba Forestry Association also accepts donations to support environmental education and tree planting programs. For more information on the association’s programs or make a donation, visit thinktrees.org.
