Can You Cut Down Your Own Authentic Christmas Tree In Montana?

Where Do You Get Your Real Tree For Your Family Christmas?

For a lot of Montana families, the hunt for the family Christmas Tree is a long-standing tradition that is probably wrapped up with lots of adventure, laughs, some frustration and maybe even tears from time to time.  But that's every family tradition.

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Can A Person Legally Cut Their Own Tree In Montana?

If you do have a hankering to go all Clark Griswold and get your own live Montana Christmas tree, It's relatively easy and very affordable.

• Decide where you want to hunt for your tree
• Get a permit for Christmas Tree hunting in that forest at Recreation.gov
• Bundle up the family and jump into the pickup for some family memory making time

Where Can You Hunt For A Tree?

From Visit Bozeman and Recreation.gov there are several forests that you can chop down your own tree.  The rules state that you can do it until December 31, 2023, the trees can be no taller than 12 feet tall, and you can get permits for a maximum of 3 trees.

• Custer Gallatin National Forest
• Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
• Bitterroot National Forest
• Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
• Lolo National Forest
• Flathead National Forest
• Kootenai National Forest

What Tools Are Needed For A Christmas Tree Hunt?

From Visit Bozeman, they recommend:

• Christmas Tree cutting permit
• A sense of Christmas Adventure
• Measuring tape
• Handsaw
• Tarp
• Gloves
• Rope or straps
• Warm Clothes
• Snacks
• Drinks, especially warm drinks
• A vehicle that can handle roads that are not plowed
• Just in case items: tire chains, shovels, tow chain, kitty litter or sand, car safety kit, warm blankets

Happy Christmas Tree hunting.