Oh Christmas Tree

For hundreds of years people have been bringing evergreens into their homes during the winter months as a reminder that spring is just around the corner. So what is it that makes a real tree so special? For many of us a Christmas tree and it’s fresh forest scent fills our noses and minds with fond memories of holidays in the past. Smell and memory are closely linked because of the anatomy of the brain. Smells are processed by the olfactory bulb are route to the limbic system, the region of the brain that also regulates emotion and memory. To learn more on this connection read more.

Bringing a real tree into your home has more benefits than just building strong memories, its also healthy for us. Exposure to real trees and greenery has been shown to reduce stress levels and exposes us to phytoncides. Phytoncides are organic compounds that trees use to fight disease and infection and are tramsitted through the air. When we breathe that fresh forest scent our bodies use phytoncides to boost immune system function. Keeping healthy during the hustle and bustle of the holidays, with guests visiting and little ones home from school is a benefit that we just can’t argue against.

Stay happy and healthy this holiday season and bring home a real tree.

Finding a Christmas tree (in Manitoba)

For Manitoban’s, starting December 1st, you can purchase a permit to cut your own Christmas tree on Crown land, from Manitoba elicensing at: https://www.manitobaelicensing.ca/licensing.page or through the elicensing Call Centre at 1-877-880-1203, at Regional and District offices and in Winnipeg at 200 Saulteaux Crescent, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mon-Fri. Phone 204-945-6784 or toll free 1-800-214-6497. See below for Forestry office contact information.

A Christmas tree permit cost $9.75 and allows the holder to cut one coniferous Christmas tree not exceeding three (3) metres in height.

Permit Conditions:

• cutting shall be confined to the area stated on the permit

• tree(s) shall not be sold or bartered

• permit shall be retained by the person in possession of the tree

• permit shall be produced for inspection on request by a Conservation Officer

• permit expires on the 31st day of December following the date of issue

Manitoba Christmas tree farms

Shop Local this holiday season and support your local tree farmers.

• Deer Meadow Christmas Tree Farm
  21 155 Springfield Rd , LaBroquerie, MB R5H 1G1. Phone: (204) 224-2517

• CD Trees
  #28141 Road 35 E, Steinbach, MB. Phone: 204-326-6222

• Country Pines
  May Street, Tyndall, Manitoba R0E 2B0. Phone: 204-268-1557

• Windrift Christmas Trees
  Hwy.#44 East, Tyndall, MB. Phone: 204-791-9421

• Mount Nebo Trees
  35114 Road 20n, Miami, MB R0G1H0. Phone: (204) 745-8510

• Timber Trails Tree Farm
  35101 Road 28N, Grunthal, MB R0A 0R0. Phone: 204-434-9812

• Hemminger's Christmas Tree Farm
  65 Tyndall Drive, Lac Du Bonnet, MB R0E 1A0. Phone: (204) 268-5024