Cutting down your own Christmas tree is a fun activity that the whole family can engage in
. The main thing to remember is to get legal permission before going out and cutting down a Christmas tree.
If you cut a tree on private land you will have to get permission from the land owner. If you don't have permission from a landowner cutting a tree is stealing. That is a crime that a person can be prosecuted for. Never cut a tree without a landowner's permission even if it looks like nobody lives on a piece of property.
There are many landowners that will let people come onto their land and cut Christmas trees. If you know somebody who owns land with a lot of trees you can ask for their permission.
Tree Farms
There are some commercial tree farms that let people come onto their property and cut trees for a price. These facilities often advertise in newspapers or the media. They can also be located through Google and other search engines. The thing to remember is that you will almost always have to pay for the privilege of cutting trees at tree farms.
The National Forest
The US Forest Service which administers the national forest does let people cut Christmas trees in certain areas. To cut a tree in the national forest you will need to buy a permit. You will have to contact the US Forest Service directly in order to learn where and when to cut trees in your area.
The Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management or BLM is a federal agency that administers a lot of empty land in the Western US. Just like the forest service it allows tree cutting with permits. You'll have to contact the BLM directly to find out how to get a permit and where to cut Christmas Trees.
Other Government Land
State parks, local parks, state forests and local open space areas or parks may also allow Christmas tree cutting. To find out if Christmas tree cutting is allowed and how to get legal permission for it you will have to contact the government agency that oversees such lands. The agency can tell you where and how to cut down trees.
Something to consider is that you may not be allowed to bring a chainsaw or a motorized vehicle when you cut trees on government land.