Volume 1 - Resource Management
Chapter 8 - Tenure Administration

Policy 8.20 - Christmas Tree Program-General Administration

Effective Date: 01-Jan-94
Updated: 15-Oct-97
Responsible Branch: Resource Tenures and Engineering Branch

Resource Management Volume Table of Contents | Amendment Log

Scope

This policy establishes the overall framework for the administration of the Christmas Tree Program.

Policy

It is the policy of this ministry, through an efficiently administered Christmas Tree Program to:

  • encourage the culture and harvest of Christmas trees on a continuing basis on suitable Crown land;
  • promote Christmas tree management techniques that will lead to the production of quality Christmas trees;
  • provide local residents with an opportunity to supplement their income through the production of Christmas trees; and
  • provide opportunities for individuals to cut Christmas trees from Crown land for personal use.

District Plan

The District Manager will:

  • assess the demand for Christmas tree permits within the forest district on an ongoing basis;
  • assess the availability of suitable areas for Christmas tree permits within the forest district;
  • encourage Christmas tree permits on land not suitable for timber production, such as on transmission rights-of-way and on low site forest land; and
  • manage Crown forest land for Christmas tree production in concert with other land uses.

Competition

The District Manager will advertise new Christmas tree permits for competition as specified in the Advertising, Deposits and Disposition Regulation. A Christmas tree permit may be awarded to the eligible applicant submitting the highest sealed tender.

Sawlog Trees

Trees unsuitable for the purpose of Christmas tree production should be harvested before issuing a Christmas tree permit over an area. Where authorized by a licence to cut, the permittee may harvest sawlog trees in accordance with the approved management plan, to a maximum volume of 300 m3 or a maximum value of $3000.

Management Plan

District Managers will ensure that the approved management plan provides for long-term management of the area for the production of Christmas trees. The management plan shall include an estimate of the annual harvest expected from the permit area and the methods planned to increase that harvest.

Personal Use

Cutting of three trees for personal use does not require a Christmas tree permit. The District Manager may authorize such personal use with a letter of authority.

Manifest Books

All shipments of more than three Christmas trees must be accompanied by a Christmas Tree Manifest (FS 200).

References


General Procedures for Policy 8.20 - Christmas Tree Program-General Administration