I realize how unimportant this is, but if anybody already has some info, I'd love to hear it.

This Christmas I'd really love to get a real Christmas tree. Of my couple years living here, I have yet to see (even foreigners) have a live tree in their house, but there has to be a way! Is it legal to cut down trees in the hills? I've lost hope for a farm, but maybe a nursery that sells trees?

Is it legal to cut down trees in the hills?

What do you think ????

A full-sized one? Probably difficult. But I'm sure you can get a potted pine at any decent-sized plant market. If you're feeling adventurous, you can hit up the Dounan market (go early). A lot of the businesses there maintain various tree nurseries for urban greenification and apartment complex landscaping.

If you don't need a live tree, then order a fake one from taobao. Friend did that, and came in medium sized box, pretty easy to assemble. Didn't look like much at first, but after decorations and ornaments, was alright.

We got one on Taobao for 30kuai include lights. :-)

@lemon lover: It's most certainly not legal to cut down trees in the hills. If you can find someone with trees on their own land, you might be able to buy one, but you can't just drive up into the mountains and cut one down. They take that pretty seriously around here.

@Xiefei: "They take that pretty serious around here".
Indeed. Do as the Chinese do and hop across the border into Myanmar and chop all the trees you like.