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A Christmas Tree from Latvia's State Forests

Searching for a Christmas tree in the State forests of Latvia is a tradition-rich and joyful event of spending time together. That is why every family can go to the forests managed by JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) this Christmas to find and bring home one Christmas tree for the holidays. To save the forest of the future, the search for a Christmas tree must comply with some conditions – only Christmas trees of a certain size may be cut and only in specifically defined places.

Pick your Christmas tree in the territory of Latvia’s State Forests

Christmas trees can only be selected in the forests managed by LVM, which are marked in nature with LVM property signs – the LVM logo is depicted on a yellow background. On the border of LVM territory, the signs on the side of the road or block path and at the intersections of block paths say that it is a State forest area. The location of forests managed by LVM can also be viewed in the LVM GEO mobile app. By connecting to the “LVM meža karte” (LVM forest map) function in the background maps section, the State forest territories with the designation “LVM” are displayed on the map.

Where and what Christmas tree to look for?

Not in all places in the forest it is allowed to cut Christmas trees. It is strictly forbidden to cut Christmas trees in young stands of pine, spruce, black alder, and mixed type, because the future forest of Latvia grows there. Cutting Christmas trees is also prohibited in protected areas marked with an oak leaf sign. It is also forbidden to cut Christmas trees in the forests of other owners without their approval.

You can safely look for your holiday decoration on the sides of forest roads, block paths, on the sides of ditches, under power lines, as well as in an adult forest under large trees.

The height of the selected Christmas tree should not be more than 3 metres and the diameter of the stump at a height of 10 cm above the neck of the roots should not exceed 12 cm. Both an axe and a machete can be used, but a saw is most recommended, because the Christmas tree should be cut as close to the ground as possible. When sawing, the stump remains flat, while when cutting with an axe or machete, the stump will be sharp, and both forest animals and other tree hunters can get injured.

A Christmas tree can also be useful after the holidays. Its branches can be used to cover garden plants or use a stick as fuel.

A Christmas tree in a pot for many years

The Embassy of Latvia's State Forests in Riga at 1 Vaiņodes Street, welcomes you to find your Christmas tree growing in a pot. ​A wide selection of high-quality Christmas trees of various varieties in pots, grown in LVM nurseries, is available there. Each of them will fill the home with the smell of a green Christmas tree, and, moreover, if properly cared for and replanted in the spring, will remain green and lush for many years to come. At the Embassy of Latvia’s State Forests in Riga, Christmas trees of traditional shapes and colours are available; however, there are also Christmas trees of the thick cylinder type or other more unusual shapes and colours. This year's novelty – a fir shaped by using a milling machine. These trees can be limited to the desired height and thickness. For every customer of the Latvia’s State Forestry Embassy to get their festive decorations, the store will be open every working day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Saturdays – from 11.00 to 15.00.