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In Alberta, tree cutting for personal use is not allowed in:

  • Outside of Forest Areas without authorization (see map below)
  • Provincial Parks or Provincial Recreation Areas (except for designated Provincial Park areas)
  • National Parks

Overview

You can get a Personal Use Forest Products Permit (PUFPP) to harvest trees on provincial Crown land within Alberta's forest areas. Here you may harvest firewood, Christmas trees and other timber for personal use subject to certain restrictions.

Alberta Forest Areas Map
Figure 1. Forest Areas Map

 

The most commonly issued non-commercial timber permit, a PUFPP (formerly known as a TM66), is used for harvesting a variety of forest products, including:

  • Christmas trees
  • firewood
  • posts and rails (roundwood)
  • transplants

The other type of permit used for personal timber access on Crown land is called a Local Timber Permit (LTP). It is intended for larger needs such as home heating and building projects.

Both permits grant the holder the legal authority to harvest trees in designated areas.

The Alberta government also issues permits and licences for commercial use of the province's timber resources. For information, see Forest tenure.

Eligibility

To get a personal timber permit, you must be:

  • at least 18 years of age
  • a resident of Alberta
  • in good standing with the Crown relating to timber, grazing and land use

You can obtain a permit on someone else's behalf. However, they must be present and in possession of the permit when you are harvesting the trees associated with that permit.

Types of permits

Personal Use Forest Products Permit (PUFPP)
Description PUFPPs are for small-scale personal use only (no resale) for purposes such as Christmas trees, firewood or transplants.
Details The PUFPP entitles individuals to remove one of the following:
  • 3 Christmas trees under 2.5m (approximately 8ft) in height
OR
  • 20 trees less than 2.5m in height for transplanting
OR
  • Up to 5 cubic metres (5m3) of firewood. The number of trees cut depends on tree species and size and is approximately:
    • 5 to 7 large coniferous trees (generally trees with needles), or
    • 4 to 6 deciduous trees (generally trees with leaves), or
    • 5m3 is approximately 1.5 cords (approximately 3 level 1//2 ton pickup boxes)
OR
  • Up to 5m3 of roundwood timber (fence posts or poles).
Trees and timber are to be cut from designated Crown provincial land only. The area-specific PUFPP must be with you at all times while cutting and/or transporting. In one 30-day period, a person can hold up to 4 permits: one for firewood, one for Christmas trees, one for roundwood and one for transplants.
Where to use This permit can be used only in designated areas on Crown land, within Alberta’s forest areas.

PUFPP Terms and Conditions (PDF, 421 KB)

Before obtaining a PUFPP, you must choose the forest area where you will be using your permit. Find PUFPP maps at Tree cutting permit maps.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are harvesting in the correct location. You must not harvest in a restricted area where trees may be growing for commercial or research purposes.

If you have questions about where you can cut in a particular forest area, contact your local forest area office.
Cost Free
Valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
Local Timber Permit (LTP)
Description The LTP is also for personal use only (no resale). However, it is used for purposes requiring larger amounts of timber such as log buildings, fences, and home heating.
Details This non-commercial permit entitles individuals to remove up to 50m3 of timber for personal, non-commercial use (no resale). The number of trees cut depends on tree species and size. It is approximately:
  • 50 to 70 large coniferous trees (generally trees with needles), OR
  • 40 to 60 large deciduous trees (generally trees with leaves)

Figure 1: 50m3 timber
Where to use This permit can be used only in designated areas on Crown land, within Alberta’s forest areas.

The issuing forest area office will let the permit holder know where they can use the LTP.
Cost $21 (includes GST)
Additional costs A minimum security deposit of $1,000 is required in case of any site degradation. The deposit is refundable if no incidence of degradation occurs.

The holder must also pre-pay timber dues and the reforestation levy on harvested volume as stipulated in the Timber Management Regulation.

After harvesting is completed, the LTP must be returned to the issuing forest area office for the return of any prepaid timber dues, reforestation charges or deposits, if the application is made within one year.
Valid for Expires annually on April 30

The closest forest areas to Edmonton are the Rocky Mountain and Edson Forest Areas.

Rules for using your PUFPP

In Alberta, tree cutting for personal use is not allowed:

Access to tree cutting areas

You may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle, depending on the location and type of roads that are in your specific permit area. Talk to your local forest area office for information regarding the area to which you wish to travel.

Public land use zones (PLUZ) in Alberta have varying conditions including restrictions on Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) use and access times. Be sure to contact your local Alberta Agriculture and Forestry office to ensure you have the most up-to-date information before accessing the PLUZ for firewood.

A PUFPP may be used on agricultural crown land within a forest area. If you wish to use your PUFPP on an agricultural disposition such as a grazing lease, you must contact the lease holder first and notify them. For more information, see Recreation on agricultural Crown land or contact your local ministry office.

If you wish to use a PUFPP outside of a forest area, contact the Agriculture and Forestry office closest to the area where you would like to harvest.

Transporting harvested wood

You must be able to produce your PUFPP at all times when harvesting and transporting your timber products.

Transporting coniferous firewood or timber out of the province of Alberta requires an export permit from AF.

Types of firewood

The PUFPP entitles individuals to harvest green or dead trees or both.

Consult the map for the forest area you plan to harvest in. If you require further direction, check with your local AF office before heading out.

Using timber for firewood

Permit not required: To collect deadfall for firewood use onsite, you do not need a PUFPP.

Permit required: If you plan to transport any firewood timber within Alberta (for example, back to your home) you will need a PUFPP.

Terms and conditions

See the full PUFPP Terms and Conditions (PDF, 421 KB).

Preventing mountain pine beetle spread

Do not transport mountain pine beetle infested pine trees for firewood.

You may unknowingly cut and transport mountain pine beetle infested trees to be used as firewood. After firewood is transported, mountain pine beetles can emerge from wood piles and infest nearby healthy pine trees.

Alberta has 6 million hectares of susceptible pine forest at risk of attack by mountain pine beetle. Aside from not transporting infested trees, help prevent the spread by learning more:

Get a permit

PUFPP

You can get a PUFPP online or in person at a forest area office.

Online

Get a PUFPP online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To create a permit online, go to:

Get a PUFPP online

In person

You can also get your PUFPP at your local forest area office.

Offices are open from 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays).

Note: Not all offices can issue PUFPPs. Please call ahead to ensure availability.

LTP

An LTP must be obtained through your local forest area office.

Contact

For questions about buying tree cutting permits:
Email: [email protected]

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