Where can I cut my own Christmas tree in Missouri?
Short answer: Yes, on the Mark Twain National Forest, and no permit is needed for personal use.
- Mark Twain National Forest lets you take a Christmas tree in small, personal-use amounts without a permit, according to its Special Forest Products page. Commercial collecting is not allowed.
- Missouri Department of Conservation areas: "Vegetation, including trees, may not be cut or destroyed" (3 CSR 10-11.135), so you can't cut a tree there.
Lowest listed price: Mark Twain: Free — no permit needed for small, personal-use amounts.
Your forest
Mark Twain National Forest
Current rules — 2026 dates not posted yet- Price: Free — no permit needed for small, personal-use amounts
- How many: Minor, personal-use quantities only (no number stated).
- Permit sales: No permit to buy.
Compare side by side
| Forest | Price | How many | When to buy | Size rule | 2026 info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Twain | Free — no permit needed for small, personal-use amounts | Minor, personal-use quantities only (no number stated). | No permit to buy. | Not stated on the forest's pages. | Current rules — 2026 dates not posted yet |
Prefer a tree farm?
Choose-and-cut tree farms are another option: Missouri Christmas Tree Producers Association: Tree Locator.
Firewood permits in Missouri
Personal-use firewood permits on these forests: Mark Twain ($20 per permit for 4 CCF). Compare all firewood permits.
Sources
- Missouri Dept. of Conservation: Conservation Area Regulations
- Forest Service: Special Forest Products (Mark Twain)
- Forest Service: Permits (Mark Twain)
Independent site. Forest Permit Finder is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the USDA Forest Service or Recreation.gov. Permit rules change; always check the official page before you go. Information last verified Oct 2026.