It is the image of Épinal of a successful Christmas preparation: leaving to
cut a tree
with the family to decorate it upon returning home.
But is it legal?
To discover
Fence and neighborhood: what does the law say?
Cutting a fir tree in the forest: what does the law say?
Cutting a tree in the forest
during a walk, even if it is a fir tree, is
prohibited
.
In fact, forests belong either to the municipality or to a private owner: cutting down a tree or collecting wood without authorization would quite simply amount to theft.
It is an offense punishable by a fine and confiscation of the collected property.
The cutting of wood or trees is regulated by law.
And this, even if it is a young tree!
According to the
Forest Code
(article R163-1),
“in woods and forests, the cutting or removal of wood that does not have
20 centimeters of turn
, whether
or not
they have been
planted for less than ten years
, is punished by the fine provided for 5th class contraventions.
The offender also incurs the additional penalty of confiscation of the thing which was used or was intended to commit the offense as well as of the thing which is the product
”.
A
fine
for 5th class tickets can be up to € 1,500.
Read alsoWood, berries, mushrooms: what can you collect in the forest?
However, there are
solutions
to share with the family this traditional moment of choosing the Christmas tree.
Where to legally cut a Christmas tree?
Cutting a Christmas tree as a family is possible, several solutions exist:
contact
the owner of the forest
to ask for his authorization.
contact your
town hall
and your
prefecture,
which sometimes organize events during end-of-year celebrations.
ask the
tree producers in your region
who sometimes allow individuals to come and choose and cut their tree, or will cut it themselves, once the choice has been made.
Some
large estates
, such as the Château de Ronno near Roanne, also organize dedicated days.
Please note, you often have to
reserve a date
to come and participate in these special days
between the end of November and mid-December
.
Don't delay, there are often few places.