Christmas tree permit
With the Christmas tree permit, you can chop down a Christmas tree from a state-owned forest in Lapland, North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu. The price of the permit is EUR 10.
No permits are sold for Southern, Central, Western and Eastern Finland, as there are relatively few state-owned forests in these regions, and they are spread out. Furthermore, some of the forests are in special use or protected.
Which forests can I get the tree from?
Always make sure in advance that the area belongs to the multiple-use forests used for forestry by Metsähallitus and that there are no usage restrictions. The easiest way to check this is by ticking the box for the “Multiple-use forests” layer on the Excursionmap.fi map. To make sure the area is not subject to any other type of use, tick the boxes for the other layers (Sites of high natural value, Research and educational forests, Other special sites) and all the layers under "Protected areas and hiking destinations", as well (see the picture below). You can only get the tree from a multiple-use forest that is not in overlapping use with the "Multiple-use forests" layer.
You cannot get a Christmas tree from
- Protected areas or hiking destinations, or other areas in special use (map layers Protected areas and hiking destinations, Sites of high natural value, Research and educational forests, Other special sites; see screenshot.)
- Areas subject to other access restrictions. The access restrictions are indicated by signs, fences, or other obstacles. They are not always marked on the Excursion Map, but instead, they must be acknowledged at the site.
What kind of Christmas tree can I get?
With the permit, you can chop down a tree that meets these conditions:
- The Christmas tree must be no taller than three metres.
- In the municipalities of Enontekiö, Utsjoki and Inari, the tree must be a pine tree.
- The tree must stand no more than 20 metres from a road.
- The tree must stand on state-owned multiple-use forest land used for forestry purposes (check for any other restrictions)
Natural products permit
With this permit, you can collect chaga mushrooms, spruce shoots, resin, and other natural products from state-owned multiple-use forests.
Subsistence area permit
Subsistence area permit allows, for example, the collection of firewood in Enontekiö, Inari, and Utsjoki. The permit is intended especially for locals and cottage owners.