Nizhny Novgorod residents will be able to buy a real Christmas tree for 8 rubles for the New Year.

      03 December 2025 13:39 Society — A strengthened protection regime for young conifer stands has been established in the forests of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. It will remain in effect until the end of December and is aimed at preventing the illegal felling of fir trees ahead of the New Year holidays. These measures have become part of the annual environmental campaign "Little Fir, Live!".

      The head of the regional Ministry of Forestry, Roman Vorobyov, noted that the main objective of the campaign is to prevent the wanton cutting of young trees and to preserve the region's natural heritage. According to him, the campaign also helps remind residents of the importance of taking care of the environment.

      During the period of the strengthened regime, regular patrols will be organized in the forests. In addition, traffic police officers (GIBDD) will check the documents of those transporting coniferous trees on the roads.

      According to the relevant ministry, over the past five years the region has seen a steady decline in the volume of illegal logging. In 2024 the number of such violations was reduced fivefold compared with the average level over the previous six years. One of the key factors was an increase in the number of patrols. Since the beginning of 2025, forest inspectors have carried out more than 37,000 patrols.

      For those who want to acquire a Christmas tree legally, it is possible to conclude a purchase-and-sale agreement for forest stands at any forestry district (lesnichestvo) in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. This can be done throughout December. A list of forestry districts, their contact details and information about their heads are posted on the ministry's official website.

      After concluding the agreement, a citizen receives the right to cut down a fir in a strictly designated location and within the time limits specified in the document. Tree harvesting is carried out in areas where cutting does not harm the forest fund — typically firebreaks, power line corridors and areas scheduled for clearing of young growth.

      In 2024 more than 4,000 agreements were issued for the harvesting of New Year's trees.

      The price of a fir or other conifer depends on its height. This year the following rates have been set in the region's forestry districts: tree up to 1 meter — 8.38 rubles; up to 2 meters — 16.75 rubles; up to 3 meters — 25.13 rubles; up to 4 meters — 34.55 rubles; over 4.1 meters — 43.96 rubles each. The purchase-and-sale agreement is an official document permitting the transportation of a fir.

      Fines are provided for illegal cutting of coniferous trees. Individuals may be fined from 3,000 rubles, officials — from 20,000, legal entities — from 200,000 rubles. If machinery is used, the penalties increase: for individuals — from 4,000, for officials — from 40,000, for organizations — from 300,000 rubles.

      If the damage caused exceeds 5,000 rubles, criminal liability is possible under Article 260 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, including punishment in the form of imprisonment.

      Earlier it emerged that Nizhny Novgorod residents do not buy trees but rent them.

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